Exciting news for WTC and for students interested in high-skill, high-wage careers in aviation and aerospace
Exciting news for WTC and for students interested in high-skill, high-wage careers in aviation and aerospace
Withlacoochee Technical College has unveiled plans for a new aviation maintenance and training program, marking a major step forward for workforce development in our community. The proposed program, shared by WTC Director Colleen Strickland and the WTC team, would include Airframe and Powerplant training along with advanced specialty pathways that prepare students for in-demand careers as aircraft mechanics, avionics technicians, and non-destructive testing professionals.
What makes this opportunity especially meaningful is accessibility. The program is designed so students could complete training in as little as 18 months at an affordable cost, with access to Pell Grants, VA benefits, and Florida tuition waivers. These are careers with strong earning potential and real demand, many starting in the $60,000 range and growing significantly with experience.
This initiative builds directly on the work Citrus County Schools has been doing to expand aerospace opportunities for students. From our high school CTE programs to the Space Florida Space Academy we unveiled this summer, we are intentionally creating connected pathways that link education to real-world aerospace and aviation industries. A future WTC aviation program would be a critical next step in that pipeline, helping keep talent local while opening doors for students, veterans, and adult learners right here in Citrus County.
The unanimous support from the Citrus County Aviation Advisory Board and strong interest from community and industry partners highlight the impact this program could have on our local economy and workforce.
I encourage everyone to take a few minutes to read the full article and learn more about this exciting initiative and the thoughtful planning behind it. Thank you to Director Colleen Strickland and the entire WTC team for their work in bringing this opportunity forward for our students and our community.
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