Airlines expanding their fleets worldwide has led Polk State College to add a new degree to its Aerospace program, an associate's degree in Aviation Maintenance Administration.
- New degree available in Fall 2016
- Students can complete the degree in 18 months
- Starting pay in aviation maintenance $20-$30 an hour
Polk State will offer the new degree starting Fall 2016. A full-time student can complete the degree program in a year, and a part-time student could complete it in as little as 18 months.
The new degree program is evidence of increased demand in the workplace for aircraft maintenance technicians. According to Boeing, North America will need more than 100,000 new aircraft maintenance technicians within the next 20 years.
Though the program focuses on students getting certified to fix and repair aircraft, they'll also learn how to run an aircraft maintenance business, according to the Aerospace Program's Director, Eric Crump.
"The starting pay in aviation maintennce can be anywhere in the 20s to low 30 dollars an hour," said Crump. "But in order to progress into the supervisory ranks, in a maintenance organization, at least an associate's degree is required."
The college is accepting applications for those interested in the program. An open house to showcase the new program will take place June 9, from 6 to 8 p.m.