Stow your carry-ons, lift your tray tables, and turn cellular devices to airplane mode. We are ready for departure!
After fast-tracking the start of the new program, St. Cloud Technical & Community College (SCTCC) has opened the application for Aircraft Maintenance Technician for a 2026 Fall Semester start. The program offers either an 83-credit associate of applied science or 68-credit diploma option and can be finished in two years.
Why Aircraft Maintenance Technician?
The aviation industry is running short on certified mechanics, with a gap of nearly 4,200 by 2035, due to retirements and job changes. The demand is nationwide: airline safety will always be a need, and in Minnesota alone, projected job openings 2022-2023 according to DEED are nearly 1,600. Graduates with a two-year degree have skills and opportunity for economic and social mobility, as average starting hourly wage is $32 and can increase to a yearly salary of more than $100,000 after five years’ experience.
Armed with that information, SCTCC decided to investigate launching a mechanic program. The College collaborated with Minnesota State, community partners, and aviation industry members; after considering location, workforce demands, and growth opportunities, SCTCC began the journey to become the fourth college in the state to offer the program.
On the Runway
Two aircraft in a large lab on campus sit in wait for August. Large rolling toolboxes are lined up in the middle of the space. Zack Nicklin, Director of Aircraft Maintenance, has been working on this classroom for a year.
Nicklin, who has a background in teaching aviation, was tasked with implementing next phases, including curriculum development, accreditation approval, FAA approval, hiring faculty, and preparing the learning space.
When folks walk into the lab, the first thing they notice are the small planes. One is a Cessna 172 RG, purchased from an older gentleman who had decided it was time to stop flying. The other is a Piper Seminole that came from Lake Superior College’s pilot school.
“Both of these aircraft will be used for hands-on experience in all aspects, from servicing tires and brakes to inspecting the airframe to removing and replacing the engines,” noted Nicklin. “There is not a portion of these aircraft that the student will not touch or work on!”
The curriculum went through the approval steps, and a job posting for faculty went live. The FAA approval was the last link—on December 18, the Aircraft Maintenance Technician program got notice that SCTCC was clear to move forward for the fall start.
Taking Off
With that news, the College is ready to take applications for the program. Some of the highlights of applying to SCTCC for this program:
- SCTCC provides tools for the first year of classes. Second-year students will need to purchase their own toolbox, which they will be able to use throughout their career.
- Over the course of the program, students have the opportunity to test for a mechanic certificate with an airframe and/or powerplant rating.
- SCTCC has the lowest number of credits to complete a degree in the entire state—68 for a diploma and 83 for an AAS—providing cost savings on top of a lucrative career.
For anyone interested in the program, visit the Aircraft Maintenance Technician webpage or sign up for a campus tour. Another opportunity to check out the lab space and learn more about it comes with an Open House on March 25, 3:30-6 p.m.
There has been a buzz in the community around this program for a long time, and the College is excited that we are able to open the application for the fall start. It’s taken years of research, preparation, and collaboration and is a perfect example of how SCTCC works with the community and industry partners to make sure that we meet the needs of the region—and beyond!
Aircraft Maintenance Technician
Sources:
Aviation Mechanic Shortage