FORT WORTH, Texas — Tarrant County College and American Airlines today cemented an innovative agreement to strengthen aviation workforce development and expand pathways from education to employment for Trailblazers pursuing aviation maintenance careers.
The memorandum of understanding, recently approved by TCC’s Board of Trustees, formalizes a long-standing hiring and recruitment relationship between the College and one of the world’s largest air carriers. Leaders from both organizations signed the agreement at TCC’s Erma C. Johnson Hadley Northwest Center of Excellence for Aviation, Transportation and Logistics.
The collaboration comes as demand for aviation maintenance professionals continues to grow. Texas Workforce Commission projections estimate more than 1,500 annual openings for aircraft mechanics and service technicians through 2032, driven by industry growth, retirements and workforce turnover.
Under the agreement, TCC will identify and refer qualified graduates to American Airlines, which will establish employment expectations — including academic performance, certification requirements and professional standards — and conduct interviews at on-campus recruitment events.
Students also will engage with American’s maintenance operations through experiential learning opportunities, including site visits and hands-on activities designed to expose them to real-world aviation environments.
“This partnership with Tarrant County College reflects our commitment to developing the next generation of aviation maintenance technicians,” said Jess Barrier, Managing Director of Maintenance Operations Control and Training at American. “Our industry is facing a growing need for highly skilled maintenance professionals, and partnerships like this are essential to meeting that demand.”
Beyond student recruitment, the MOU supports upskilling and career advancement for current American employees through cohort-based enrollment, flexible scheduling and accelerated course sequencing tailored for working professionals.
“This partnership reflects the power of aligning education directly with workforce demand,” TCC Chancellor Elva LeBlanc said. “Together with American Airlines, we are strengthening the workforce that keeps North Texas and the global economy moving.”
TCC Northwest President Zarina Blankenbaker said the agreement reinforces the College’s leadership in aviation education and workforce responsiveness.
“Our students are preparing for careers in one of the nation’s most critical industries,” she said. “This partnership provides direct access to professional expectations and meaningful career opportunities with a world-renowned aviation leader.”
American Airlines leaders said the collaboration will further strengthen the pipeline of skilled aviation professionals while deepening connections with future talent.
“We are creating a critical pathway for students to build the experience and connections they need to pursue rewarding careers while strengthening the industry,” Barrier said. “American has proudly served Dallas-Fort Worth for more than 50 years and our team of locally based AMTs is committed to passing on their knowledge and experience to the future of aviation maintenance.”
Tarrant County College serves nearly 100,000 students annually through six campuses and TCC Connect, the College’s online campus. The College partners with more than 1,200 employers across North Texas to help build workforce pathways aligned with regional industry needs. TCC’s aviation programs prepare students for careers supporting one of the nation’s busiest and fastest-growing aviation regions. Bold Steps. Better Futures.