Tarrant County College (TCC) students training to become aircraft maintenance technicians have a direct path to jobs at American Airlines under an agreement announced June 30.

The memorandum of understanding, detailed in an American Airlines news release, gives top-performing students in TCC's Aviation Maintenance Technology program guaranteed interviews, virtual learning opportunities and visits to the airline's maintenance operations.

The deal formalizes a relationship that already existed. American's technicians had mentored TCC students competing in the annual Aerospace Maintenance Council Competition before the agreement was signed.

Texas Workforce Commission data projects 1,500 aircraft maintenance technician positions will open statewide each year through 2032, driven by turnover, growth and retirements. The median salary for the role is $80,000 annually, according to Community Impact.

American employs more than 1,400 maintenance technicians at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW Airport), including many TCC alumni. The airline and its wholly owned carriers have more than 37,000 team members across the Dallas-Fort Worth region.

How the program works

TCC's aviation maintenance program operates out of Fort Worth Alliance Airport with $3 million in training equipment. The college offers two 60-credit-hour tracks: airframe and powerplant. In-county tuition runs $4,440 per degree, and each track takes about 18 to 24 months to complete.

Zarina Blankenbaker, TCC's Northwest Campus president, said in the June 30 announcement that the partnership gives students direct access to career opportunities with a major aviation employer.

Air traffic controller program in development

TCC is also developing what officials say would be the first air traffic controller program at a Texas community college. The program could launch as early as spring 2027 at Fort Worth Alliance Airport, pending coursework approvals and a $1 million fundraising goal.

The average salary for an air traffic controller in North Texas is $123,715, according to Community Impact. TCC Chancellor Elva LeBlanc said there is a possibility students in the program can train and get hired locally.

"We started this campus offering rodeo and agriculture," LeBlanc said at TCC Northwest's 50th anniversary celebration on Sept. 18, as reported by the Fort Worth Report. "And while those are important in Fort Worth, we are now focused on aerospace and cybersecurity and cyber defense."

Tuition for the air traffic controller program has not been announced. TCC officials are still waiting on approvals for the program's coursework.