American Airlines and Tulsa Tech College will be teaming up to encourage students to enter the field of aircraft maintenance.
They hope the partnership will encourage students to consider a career with American Airlines.
“I learn something new every day. I’m happy to be here and I’m enjoying it,” student Taylor Papke said.
Taylor said they’ll learn even more through American’s partnership with Tulsa Tech: The airline will provide tools and equipment, including vintage planes, for students to practice on, and students will get to shadow people already working in the field and get mentorship from people with years of experience.
“American Airlines looks forward to continuing our successful partnership with Tulsa Tech and encouraging Oklahoma students to pursue this career field,” said Greg Emerson, vice president of base operations.
Emerson said creating a pipeline for Tulsa Tech students should help alleviate the long-standing shortage of mechanics, as veteran mechanics prepare for retirement and allow them to pass the baton to the younger generation, he said.
“I remember when I got into this industry, a lot of our World War II and Vietnam War era mechanics were getting ready to retire, and they passed the baton to me. American Airlines has a lot of veteran mechanics ready to do the same for the next generation,” he said.
Papke says she is grateful for the opportunity, which will help prepare her for the future.
“I think it’s great, it gives us all a place to go once we complete the program, it gives us some options,” he said.
The airline said that meritorious students will be guaranteed interviews for vacant positions at maintenance bases.
