Metro Tech’s Aviation Program To Resume After Pandemic Causes Temporary Shutdown

With over 739,000 jobs expected to become available over the next twenty years nationally, Metro Tech is working to get technicians trained and into those positions. 

“We’re an aviation school with metro technology centers and career tech and it’s an 18-month school,” said Robert Hensley with Metro Tech.

The 18-month program is divided into three phases.

“First phase is general; you learn all about the general sections of it. Then you go through airframe and you learn about the airframe section of it, and that’s six months and then the last six months is powerplant, and you learn about the engines and the jet engines and you take the engines off and you put them on, start them up and stuff like that.” said Hensley. 

Graduates of the program are in demand. Locally the Oklahoma Department of Commerce said in 2020, there was a need for over 5,500 aircraft mechanics and service technicians.

Metro Tech works closely with Tinker Air Force Base. Due to attrition, they are having to replace 30 to 40 workers every month. 

Metro Tech’s program is rated top 10 in the country for aviation techs. 

The program was temporarily shut down last year due to COVID but will graduate their first class since re-opening in April. 

The program is also available for high school juniors and seniors through the high schools. The next classes are set to begin in June.