FORT WORTH, Texas — Tarrant County College’s Aviation Maintenance Technology program is soaring, thanks to a $250,000 workforce development grant from the GE Aerospace Foundation aimed at expanding the region’s skilled aviation workforce.
The funding will cover exam fees, provide toolsets and grant access to Airbus ACT Academy A320 NEO trainer software for 50 TCC Northwest students. Desktop computers and monitors will be allocated to ensure software implementation.
“Strategic partnerships like the one with GE Aerospace are vital to building a stronger, more resilient economy in Tarrant County,” said TCC Chancellor Elva LeBlanc. “When we invest in workforce development, we expand opportunities for our students and fuel the region’s aviation industry.”
GE Aerospace and the GE Aerospace Foundation are investing $2.5 million in a diverse group of organizations to expand aviation maintenance job opportunities in the United States and abroad. GE Aerospace Chairman and CEO H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., announced the TCC donations at a workforce event in Cincinnati.
“Inventing the future of flight requires workers with the cutting-edge skills ready to bring our visions to life,” he said. “Today’s investment will build on our efforts to train new workers internally and in communities across the country as part of our commitment to revitalizing U.S. manufacturing.”
TCC Northwest President Zarina Blankenbaker said the GE Aerospace Foundation grant represents “a powerful belief in our students” and the future of aviation in North Texas. “GE Aerospace’s investment in Tarrant County College shows how partnership can expand opportunity and strengthen a community. This collaboration represents a shared belief that education transforms lives and drives regional and national prosperity. We deeply appreciate GE Aerospace for joining us in creating pathways that lead from the classroom to lifelong success.”
Students receive hands-on training at the Northwest Center of Excellence for Aviation, Transportation and Logistics at Perot Field Alliance Airport. As part of the donation, two students will be selected for internships with GE Aerospace, a global leader in jet and turboprop engines and integrated systems.
Department Chair Phillip Craig called the partnership a game-changer for TCC and his aviation maintenance technology students.
“The donation will allow us to implement the Airbus ACT for Academy — a state-of-the-art 3D virtual training platform designed to simulate real world maintenance scenarios on the Airbus A320Neo Engine. This investment will enhance the AMT curriculum by integrating advanced simulation technology that mirrors the tools and procedures used in today’s commercial aviation industry.”
Craig added that the investment further positions TCC as a leader in aviation maintenance training and provides TCC students with a unique advantage in the job market.
The U.S. aircraft and avionics equipment mechanic and technician industry is projected to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. That’s faster than the average for all other occupations. Approximately 13,100 new job openings for aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians are projected each year over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from replacing workers who switch occupations or retire.
For current students, the partnership could make a life-changing difference.
“The Aviation Maintenance Technology program gives us the skills and hands-on experience to be successful in the real world,” freshman Julian Rogel said. “With the help from GE Aerospace, I know that when I leave Tarrant County College, I will be set up for success.”
Second-year student Brian Orth says the aviation maintenance technology program has positioned him for success.
“The faculty are the best. They give their time, even coming in on the weekends, to make sure I’m set to pass my practical exams,” he said. “Having the support of a prep course will really help me pass those exams.”
Learn more about program offerings at the Northwest Center of Excellence for Aviation, Transportation and Logistics.
About the GE Aerospace Foundation
The GE Aerospace Foundation, an independent charitable organization funded by GE Aerospace, complements the company’s purpose to “lift people up” in communities worldwide where employees live and work. The foundation focuses on engineering education, workforce development and disaster relief. When GE Aerospace launched as an independent company in 2024, the GE Foundation was relaunched as the GE Aerospace Foundation, beginning a new chapter that builds on the 100+ year legacy of the GE Foundation. Learn more at www.geaerospace.com/company/philanthropy.
About Tarrant County College
Celebrating 60 years of excellence and impact in 2025, Tarrant County College is one of the nation’s largest higher education institutions and boasts the second lowest tuition of Texas’ Top 10 community colleges. A comprehensive community college with six campuses in Tarrant County, TCC offers a range of opportunities for learners of all ages and backgrounds.