JACKSON, MI — Newly secured $300,000 in state funding will help establish a new aircraft maintenance technician training school at Jackson County Airport – Reynolds Field, according to a press release from State Rep. Kathy Schmaltz.
The school will create new career opportunities for local students while helping meet a growing demand for skilled aviation workers. The funding was included in the state budget recently signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Schmaltz says she worked alongside airport officials to advocate for the investment, which will help launch a federally certified aviation maintenance technician school on airport grounds. The program will provide students with hands-on training for careers in one of the nation’s fastest-growing skilled trades while strengthening Jackson County’s workforce and economy.
“Michigan needs more opportunities that connect students directly with good-paying careers, and that’s exactly what this program will do,” Schmaltz said. “Young people in Jackson County will have the chance to earn industry certifications, obtain a professional license, and begin a rewarding career in aviation without leaving their community. This is an investment in our students, our workforce and our future.”
The school is expected to offer tuition-free training for high school juniors and seniors, allowing students to complete the coursework required to become licensed aircraft maintenance technicians by the time they graduate. The program also will be available to recent graduates and adult learners at a reduced cost. The program is expected to begin operations in 2027 with an initial class of approximately 30 students per year and the ability to expand as demand grows.
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