Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story misidentified a partner with the Airframe and Powerplant Systems License Prep Course at Fayetteville Technical Community College. The article has been updated to reflect that Heroes MAKE America initiative and Cape Fear Aviation Maintenance are collaborating with FTCC.
As the new year kicks off, many Fayetteville residents begin setting fresh goals, exploring new skills, and imagining new career paths. At Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC), one course in particular is positioned to help students—and especially service members on Fort Bragg—step into high-demand roles in one of North Carolina’s fastest-growing industries.
FTCC’s newly revamped Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Systems License Prep Course is the college’s most aviation-focused workforce pathway, designed for service members transitioning to civilian work and aviation personnel who already have hands-on experience but need the credentials to advance.
With registration open for FTCC’s spring 2026 term, the Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Systems License Prep Course is fully approved and reflects the college’s mission to create direct, streamlined pathways into fields where employers urgently need trained workers.
“We’ve offered Airframe & Power training in different forms for years,” said Luis Velez, dean of Corporate and Industry Training at FTCC. “But demand in the aviation industry has changed. Employers told us exactly what they needed—and we rebuilt the program around that.”
Dr. Jolee Marsh, associate vice president of Corporate & Continuing Education, said the revamped program also fits into FTCC’s broader strategy of strengthening continuing education as a gateway to upward mobility. “Our goal is to offer programs that respond to workforce needs and give adult learners opportunities to grow—in their careers and in their confidence,” she said.
Meeting a Statewide Workforce Need
Aviation is one of North Carolina’s quiet economic engines. The sector contributes more than $88 billion annually to the state and is expected to grow significantly as older maintenance professionals retire, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
Marsh added that the industry is expected to grow substantially in the coming decade, noting “about 16% projected job growth over the next ten years.”
This need is especially visible around Fort Bragg, where aviation units operate daily and where many soldiers already have years of aircraft maintenance experience—but lack the civilian credentials needed to advance in the private sector.
“This program really caters to transitioning service members,” said Dr. Waleed Mohamed, department chair for Corporate and Continuing Education. “They already have the experience, but they need the credential. Our goal is to get them certified and into the workforce quickly.”
Marsh added that the aviation sector is one of the most promising for career changers and military-connected learners.
“With so many aviation professionals retiring, there’s a tremendous opportunity for trained technicians to step in,” she said. “Programs like this help our community meet that need.”
A Course Rebuilt With Employer Input
FTCC’s updated A&P course has expanded significantly based on feedback from aviation employers and industry partners.
What was once a 128-hour training sequence has now grown into a 228-hour, seven-week course shaped through collaboration with the national Heroes MAKE America initiative and Cape Fear Aviation Maintenance.
Heroes MAKE America, a national initiative of the Manufacturing Institute, helps transitioning service members gain civilian-recognized industry training and credentials.
The hands-on portion of the course takes place at Gray’s Creek Airport inside a maintenance hangar operated by Cape Fear Aviation Maintenance.
Students move through a combination of classroom instruction, aviation software training, and hands-on practice inside an airport hangar also operated by Cape Fear Aviation Maintenance.
During the course, students prepare for four FAA-required exams—three written tests (General, Airframe, and Powerplant) and an oral and practical exam administered by an FAA-authorized examiner.
“It’s an intensive course,” Mohamed said. “About two-thirds is classroom and test preparation, and one-third is hands-on practice. We build them up so that when they reach the oral and practical exam, they’re confident and ready.”
Hands-on training covers engine components, wiring harnesses, fuel and electrical systems, powerplant structures, and more. FTCC is also seeking grant funding for additional non-operational aircraft to expand hands-on learning opportunities.
“This is a highly specialized skill set,” Marsh said. “Students can’t just walk in off the street—you need significant experience before you enter the program. But for those who qualify, it’s a powerful next step.”
What the Course Includes
FTCC officials said the updated the A&P course has expanded far beyond the college’s previous 128-hour version. The newly revised 228-hour sequence now includes:
- Expanded classroom instruction covering aircraft theory, FAA standards, safety requirements, and updated industry practices.
- Aviation software training, using the digital tools and simulations commonly relied on in modern maintenance environments.
- Hands-on practice inside an airport-based hangar operated by Cape Fear Aviation Maintenance, where students work directly with aircraft components, engines, electrical systems, and fuel systems.
- Structured FAA exam preparation for all four required tests—the General, Airframe, and Powerplant written exams, plus the final oral and practical exam administered by an FAA-authorized examiner.
- Enhanced employer-aligned curriculum, redesigned with input from aviation industry partners and the Heroes MAKE America initiative to better match current workforce needs.
Partnerships Strengthen the Pipeline
What differentiates FTCC’s A&P course is the strength of its partnerships.
Through Heroes MAKE America, FTCC connects directly with soldiers transitioning out of Fort Bragg who already have aviation experience. Cape Fear Aviation Maintenance provides aircraft components, equipment, and instructors certified to train students in specialized maintenance procedures.
“These partnerships are the backbone of the program,” Mohamed said. “Heroes MAKE America helps recruit. Cape Fear Aviation Maintenance provides the environment and expertise. And we provide the structure, the credentialing pathway, and the connection to employers.”
Hiring interest is strong: One aviation employer told FTCC they were interested in hiring a current student even before he completed his certification.
“Every major airline hires A&P technicians,” Velez said. “GE hires them. Duke Energy hires them. Helicopter maintenance companies hire them. Contractors that support Fort Bragg are always looking. This is truly a regional—and national—pipeline.”
A Pathway to Family-Sustaining Wages
The median annual wage for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians in North Carolina is $69,320, according to nccareers.org.
Marsh noted that starting wages are typically lower than the median and shared their own projected early-career estimate of $46,000 to $58,000, based on Lightcast, a labor-market analytics platform used by colleges for regional workforce planning and grant development.
For transitioning service members, this can mean a stable first step into civilian life and access to higher-paying, long-term career paths in aviation maintenance.
Preparing for a Future That’s Already Here
The revamped A&P course offers a preview of the college’s broader vision—fast, focused programs aligned directly with workforce needs.
“This program is only the beginning,” Mohamed said. “If industry demand continues rising, we’ll keep expanding our offerings. We are driven by what employers need—and right now, aviation maintenance is one of the biggest needs in the region.”
For students eager to begin the new year with meaningful momentum, FTCC’s A&P course offers one of the most direct paths into a high-demand, high-growth career.
“It’s fast. It’s focused. And it gets people into high-demand jobs,” Velez said. “That’s exactly what continuing education should do.”
FTCC’s spring 2026 term spans from January 1 to May 15, with classes starting on January 12. The registration window is open until the first day of class—though college officials do not recommend waiting until then to register. All required documents must be submitted to secure seats in courses.
For registration assistance, FTCC directs learners to Transition Tech Recruiter Pendy Eldridge at eldridgp@faytechcc.edu.
Read CityView Magazine’s “New Year, New You” January 2026 e-edition here.