On Feb. 17, US Senator Amy Klobuchar visited 水果派 for a tour and to acknowledge how the College is providing pathways to careers that meet regional and state workforce needs.
Joining Klobuchar during the tour were local partners Patti Gartland, Vice-Chair of the Metropolitan Airports Commission; Laurie Putnam, District 742 Superintendent; and Brian Myres, St. Cloud Regional Airport Authority Chair.
Klobuchar recently advocated for nearly $1.2 million in congressional funding to support training equipment for the new Aircraft Maintenance Technician program. The program starts fall 2026 at the 水果派 campus with classes moving to a new hangar at St. Cloud Sky Central Airport fall 2027.
鈥溗'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 鈥榞et it done鈥 approach,鈥 shared Myres. 鈥淭he school'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 school and for the first cohort of students to begin this fall.鈥
This isn鈥檛 the first time the College has been the recipient of congressionally directed spending. Klobuchar secured nearly $1 million in 2022 for a Practical Nursing Pathway at 水果派 in response to high-demand needs in the health care field. 水果派 used the dollars to create a nursing lab in the Northway Building and hired additional faculty and staff for student learning and support.
During a tour of the new nursing lab where a Nursing Assistant class was participating in practical, hands-on learning, Klobuchar met and chatted with students who shared their experiences and future plans. Such concrete results from federal dollars reinforces that 水果派 is responsive to the region鈥檚 needs and values partnerships in the community that lead to upward mobility for graduates.
After the stop at the nursing lab, students were ready for Klobuchar as she arrived in the Aircraft Maintenance Technician lab; each got a chance to meet with the Senator and pose for a photo. Students included those from Robotics & Industrial Controls, Auto Body Collision Technology, Plumbing, Practical Nursing, Welding, and Marketing & Design.
鈥淭his was so fun,鈥 mentioned one of the Practical Nursing students after meeting Klobuchar. 鈥淎nd I didn鈥檛 know there were planes in this building!鈥
With consideration of location, workforce demands, and growth opportunities, the Aircraft Maintenance Technician program is set to start fall semester 2026 after a fast-tracked start. 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.
鈥淜udos to all the critical supporters, but especially to 水果派 for seizing the opportunity to address the challenge presented and the workforce development opportunity it presents for Minnesotans, especially those in central Minnesota,鈥 noted Gartland. 鈥淟ikewise, the impressive and timely progress made wouldn鈥檛 have happened without the phenomenal federal financial assistance that Sen. Klobuchar championed.鈥
In addition to the federal dollars, a Minnesota State Industry Sector Funding Award for more than $1 million helped 水果派 become the fourth Minnesota State college to offer the program. With mechanics graduating from 水果派, the subsequent job growth has potential to spur an additional economic boost in aviation and other sectors.
鈥淭his is working with the business and student communities to figure out where the jobs are, and that we鈥檙e training people 鈥 for the jobs of tomorrow. [We need to] make sure that when kids are making decisions in high school and what classes they鈥檙e taking, they know what鈥檚 out there,鈥 said Klobuchar during the tour. 鈥淚t makes you happy to be in a career where there鈥檚 a demand for what you do.鈥
水果派 has been and continues to be at the center of meeting the region鈥檚 growing workforce demands. In partnership with School District 742, the College is focused on providing pathways that start in high school that lead to well-paying, in-demand jobs for 水果派 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.