Coastal Alabama Community College’s Aviation Programs are “Taking Off”

Job growth in the aviation industry is at a record-breaking pace, and Coastal Alabama Community College’s Alabama Aviation Center is expanding to meet as much of that demand as possible, offering hands-on training in Airframe Technology and Powerplant Technology. In fact, students are taking advantage of local training as shown in a 22% increase in credit hour production over the past year.  

The industry needs upwards of 20,000 aircraft maintenance professionals each year, with educational institutions only graduating about 7,000 annually, meaning that past demand is barely being met, while current and future demand remains unfulfilled. 

Upon graduation and subsequent FAA certification, Aviation Center students have many options for immediate employment, both in the growing aerospace corridor in Mobile and the greater Gulf Coast, as well as nationally. And while those prospects are incredible for new and current students, the College isn’t resting on its stellar job placement statistics, instead investing more resources in the center, its faculty and students. 

“For the last two and half years, anyone who wants to get hired has been hired,” said Dave Mosow, director of the Alabama Aviation Center. He added that graduates have made around $30 to $34 dollars an hour once they’re on the job, with many companies such as Airbus, ST Engineering Aerospace and Continental Motors maintaining facilities at the Brookley Aeroplex, within walking distance of the Aviation Center. 

That amounts to life-changing opportunities for many who graduate the program, and a steady stream of those come through free dual-enrollment opportunities created through partnerships with Mobile and Baldwin County schools. 

“The good thing about the dual enrollment classes are that some of these students almost complete an airframe license before they ever graduate from high school,” Mosow said. 

A significant advancement through the partnership with the Baldwin County Public School System happened over the summer, when the Aviation Center moved its classrooms and equipment from the Fairhope Airport to the brand new, $100 million Baldwin Preparatory Academy, which is dedicated to workforce development opportunities for students. 

“When I was 20 and started working on airplanes, it was healthy to earn a $25,000-per-year salary, which was considered a good job,” said Kevin Langlois, aviation division chair for Coastal Alabama Community College. 

Today, according to the Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council (SAWDC), careers in the aviation industry average more than $100,000 annually.  Its website also emphasizes that the SAWDC region, which much of Coastal Alabama Community College represents, is part of the 3rd largest Aviation Corridor in the world.  

Coastal Alabama Community College is a member of the Alabama Community College System and is the largest community college in the state by geographic coverage.  Serving nearly 10,000 students, Coastal Alabama maintains an intentional mission of investing in the success of ALL students through credit programs, non-credit training programs, and Adult Education services.  With locations in six counties and a robust dual enrollment and online population, Coastal Alabama fuels southwest Alabama’s workforce.