Dedicated Dollars from Congress Helps Bring Aircraft Maintenance Technician Program to St. Cloud Technical & Community College
group of SCTCC students, faculty, and leadership members with Sen. Amy Klobuchar in the College’s Aircraft Maintenance Technician lab.
Immediate Release: Feb. 25, 2026
St. Cloud, Minn.—St. Cloud Technical & Community College (SCTCC) is excited to announce that $1.15 million was designated to the new Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) program with support from the Minnesota Congressional Delegation.
SCTCC’s request for and subsequent funding of Congressionally Directed Spending demonstrates the College’s dedication to creating pathways to careers that meet regional and state workforce needs. The AMT program starts fall 2026 at the SCTCC campus with classes moving to a hangar at Sky Central Airport fall 2027. The College collaborated with Minnesota State, community partners, St. Cloud Sky Central Airport, the Metropolitan Airports Commission, Minneapolis St. Paul Airport, Delta, Sun Country, and Cirrus to bring the program to students.
“Kudos to all the critical supporters, but especially to SCTCC for seizing the opportunity to address the challenge presented and the workforce development opportunity it presents for Minnesotans, especially those in central Minnesota,” noted Patti Gartland, Vice-Chair of the Metropolitan Airports Commission.
On Feb. 17, US Sen. Amy Klobuchar visited SCTCC for a tour of the AMT lab, to meet with students, and to celebrate the funding and start of the program. This isn’t the first time the College has been the recipient of Congressionally Directed Spending. In 2022, Senators Klobuchar and Smith helped secure nearly $1 million for a Practical Nursing Pathway at SCTCC in response to high-demand needs in the health care field. SCTCC used the dollars to create a nursing lab in the Northway Building and hired additional faculty and staff for student learning and support.
“This is working with the business and student communities to figure out where the jobs are, and that we’re training people for the jobs of tomorrow. We need to make sure that when kids are making decisions in high school and what classes they’re taking, they know what’s out there,” said Klobuchar during the tour. “It makes you happy to be in a career where there’s a demand for what you do.”
SCTCC’s fast-tracked start to the AMT program shows the College’s responsiveness to the region’s needs and partnerships in the community that lead to upward mobility for graduates. In addition to the federal dollars for the new program, a Minnesota State Industry Sector Funding Award for more than $1 million helped SCTCC become the fourth college in the state to offer the program. With mechanics graduating from SCTCC, the subsequent job growth has potential to spur an additional economic boost in aviation and other sectors.
“SCTCC’s leadership in launching Aircraft Maintenance Technician at the St Cloud Sky Central airport is a great example of the school’s commitment to collaboration with industry partners and a ‘get it done’ approach,” shared Brian Myres, St. Cloud Regional Airport Authority Chair. “SCTCC’s work with our congressional delegation, the Metropolitan Airport Commission, the State of Minnesota, the FAA, and others brought this project to fruition in record time. We are excited for construction to begin at the airport for the new program and for the first cohort of students to begin this fall.”
SCTCC has been and continues to be at the center of meeting the region’s growing workforce demands. The College is focused on providing pathways starting in high school that lead to well-paying, in-demand jobs for SCTCC graduates. Congressional sponsorship of funding Aircraft Maintenance Technician and the Practical Nursing Pathway is a model for future endeavors that support the needs of the St. Cloud region, the state of Minnesota, and beyond.
About St. Cloud Technical & Community College
St. Cloud Technical & Community College (SCTCC) was founded as the second technical college in the state in 1948. SCTCC is committed to meeting the needs of our community through its 75+ program options that match careers available in the area. St. Cloud Technical & Community College is one of 33 members of the Minnesota State system and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
St. Cloud Technical & Community College is a member of Minnesota State and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. ADA Accessible Facility. Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Educator and Employer.
