Training & Certification
SCTCC Launches FAA-Certified Aircraft Maintenance Technician Program
St. Cloud Technical and Community College received FAA certification for its Aircraft Maintenance Technician program starting fall 2026 with industry partnerships and funding.
This article is based on an official press release from St. Cloud Technical and Community College.
St. Cloud Technical and Community College (SCTCC) has officially received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification for its new Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) program. According to an official press release from the college, FAA representatives visited the campus on March 25, 2026, to present the certification, marking a major milestone for the institution’s aviation training initiatives.
The federal approval paves the way for the program to welcome its first cohort of students in the fall of 2026. The initiative, which was fast-tracked after its initial announcement in the fall of 2024, aims to address a growing regional and national shortage of qualified aviation mechanics.
We note that this development makes SCTCC the fourth college within the Minnesota State system to offer such a program, the launch is backed by significant state and federal funding, as well as broad industry partnerships designed to connect students directly with employers.
The journey to FAA certification required extensive collaboration across multiple organizations. Zack Nicklin, the Director of the Aircraft Maintenance Technician program at SCTCC, spearheaded the effort starting in the summer of 2024.
“This certificate represents a lot of effort and coordination, both within the college and between SCTCC, Minnesota State, and the Federal Aviation Administration,” Nicklin stated in the college’s press release. “Now the hard work really begins as we welcome our first student cohort in the Fall and begin training them to enter the aviation maintenance workforce.”
To bring the program to life, SCTCC partnered with several major aviation entities. The college’s official announcement lists collaborators including Delta Air Lines, Sun Country Airlines, Cirrus Aircraft, the Metropolitan Airports Commission, and the St. Cloud Sky Central Airport.
Financial backing has been crucial to the program’s rapid deployment. According to the release, SCTCC secured a Minnesota State Industry Sector Funding Award exceeding $1 million. Additionally, the college received nearly $1.2 million in federal congressional funding dedicated to acquiring specialized training equipment.
Initially, students will train in an on-campus lab that currently houses two airplanes. By the fall of 2027, classes are scheduled to transition to a new hangar currently under construction at the St. Cloud Sky Central Airport. The aviation industry is currently facing a critical need for maintenance professionals, and the SCTCC program is positioned to help fill that gap. Graduates of the FAA-certified program will be eligible to take the federal exams required for an airframe and powerplant mechanic certificate, which includes written, oral, and practical testing.
Data cited in the SCTCC release highlights the lucrative nature of the career path. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) projects 1,578 job openings in the state between 2022 and 2032. Starting wages average $32 per hour, with the potential to exceed $100,000 annually after five years of experience.
“SCTCC’s leadership in launching Aircraft Maintenance Technician at the St Cloud Sky Central airport is a great example of the college’s commitment to collaboration with industry partners and a ‘get it done’ approach,” noted Brian Myres, Chair of the St. Cloud Regional Airport Authority, in the press release.
We observe that the rapid timeline from the program’s announcement in late 2024 to full FAA certification in early 2026 underscores the urgency with which educational institutions and the aviation industry are moving to address workforce bottlenecks. The direct involvement of major carriers like Delta Air Lines and Sun Country Airlines suggests a strong pipeline from the classroom directly to the hangar floor.
Furthermore, the combination of state grants and federal congressional funding highlights a bipartisan recognition of aviation maintenance as a critical infrastructure need. As the new hangar at St. Cloud Sky Central Airport comes online in 2027, SCTCC is likely to become a key regional hub for technical aviation training in the Upper Midwest.
The first cohort of students will begin classes in the fall 2026 semester, following the opening of applications in January 2026.
Graduates of the program will be eligible to test for the FAA mechanic certificate with airframe and powerplant ratings.
Initial training will occur in an on-campus lab at SCTCC. By the fall of 2027, the program will move to a newly constructed hangar at the St. Cloud Sky Central Airport.
Building the Foundation for Aviation Training
Funding and Infrastructure
Addressing the Mechanic Shortage
AirPro News analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the SCTCC Aircraft Maintenance Technician program start?
What certification will graduates be eligible for?
Where will the training take place?
Photo Credit: St. Cloud Technical and Community College