The Most Supportive Trade Schools

In a recent article by University Business, trade schools have been highlighted as a growing force in education, gaining significant popularity over the last few years. The report explores how trade schools are reshaping the educational landscape by providing affordable, career-focused alternatives to traditional universities.

Trade Schools Are Hot Right Now

Trade school enrollment has increased by 4.9% from 2020 to 2023, reversing a previous trend of decline. This shift comes at a time when traditional university enrollment saw a slight decrease of 0.6% during the same period. Such data underscores a broader shift in how students are approaching education and career preparation.

Cost-Effectiveness

One of the main reasons trade schools are gaining traction is affordability. Unlike traditional four-year colleges, trade schools typically offer shorter programs at a fraction of the cost. This appeals to students looking to enter the workforce without being burdened by significant student debt.

Clear Career Pathways

These institutions focus on equipping students with specific skills that align directly with professions that need them. This streamlined approach allows graduates to transition seamlessly into stable, high-demand professions.

Accelerated Entry into the Workforce

Aviation Trade Schools Provide The Most Support For Students

If you are just looking into the trades, we strongly recommend you examine the aviation industry. The industry prides itself on caring for its most valuable assets: people and planes. What makes the aviation industry unique is that it puts people first and provides them the training and support needed to succeed. Supportive Colleges highlights three aviation schools that are leaders in student support.

Why Supportive Colleges Loves The Spartan College of Aeronautics Training:

1. FAA-Certified Curriculum with Hands-on Training:
   Spartan College offers a curriculum aligned with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements and incorporates extensive hands-on training with real aircraft and engines to ensure students gain practical experience.
   
   
2. Job Placement Assistance & Industry Partnerships:
   Spartan has strong relationships with major airlines and aerospace companies, including Delta, American Airlines, and Boeing, offering direct pathways to employment after graduation. The school provides career fairs, resume workshops, and interview coaching to ensure graduates find work.
   
   
3. Scholarships & Financial Assistance:
   Spartan offers financial aid and scholarships, including partnerships with airlines that cover tuition costs in exchange for post-graduation employment commitments.
   
   
4. Veteran & Military Support:
   The college actively supports veterans through the GI Bill® and Veteran Support Services, helping former military personnel transition into the civilian side of aviation.
   
   
5. Advanced Training & Certifications:
   Beyond the standard A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) certification, Spartan offers specialized training programs in avionics, nondestructive testing (NDT), and aircraft manufacturing, giving students a competitive edge.
   
   
6. Real-World Experience Through Simulated Maintenance Shops:
   Some Spartan campuses include fully equipped simulated maintenance environments, where students work under real-world conditions with airline-style maintenance operations.
   
   
7. Emergency Student Assistance Program:
   Spartan provides emergency funding and support for students facing financial hardship, ensuring they can continue their education even in difficult circumstances.
   

Spartan College, in our book, goes above and beyond most schools as they have formalized a partnership with the United Airlines’ Aviate Academy, providing a direct pipeline for students to work at United’s regional carriers before transitioning into United’s mainline fleet. This initiative places students in the aviation profession much faster than traditional pathways.

2. Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) – 15 Locations Nationwide

The Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) is a leading aviation maintenance school with 15 campuses across the U.S. It offers FAA-approved programs in Airframe & Powerplant (A&P), Avionics, and Aircraft Dispatch. AIM provides hands-on training, professional placement services, and industry partnerships with major airlines, ensuring graduates will be professionally fit to serve in commercial, military, and corporate aviation.

Comprehensive Student Support Services Include:

• Academic Advising and Tutoring: AIM offers continuous academic advising and free personal tutoring to assist students in their coursework, ensuring they grasp complex aviation maintenance concepts.
  
  
• Professional Development Services: The Institute looks at aviation as a calling that requires its people to be at the top of their game. As such, AIM provides robust professional support, including resume writing assistance, interview coaching, and placement strategies. They also organize employer visits to campuses, facilitating direct interactions between students and potential employers.
  
  
• Industry Partnerships: AIM has established partnerships with most major airlines to develop educational pathways for students and employees, enhancing career opportunities in aviation maintenance
  

3. Maricopa Community Colleges – Aircraft Maintenance Technology Program

Don’t sleep on the community colleges. In Arizona, the Maricopa Community Colleges have committed to making aviation training accessible and affordable. Here’s what they do well, in our book:

• Diverse Program Offerings: Maricopa Community Colleges provide an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Aircraft Maintenance Technology, designed to equip students with the necessary skills for careers in aircraft and structural manufacturing and maintenance.
  
  
• Strong Industry Connections: The program prepares students for various sectors, including general, corporate, commercial, or military aviation, by aligning its curriculum with industry standards and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements.
  
  
• Financial Support: With tuition starting as low as $97 per credit hour and access to over 600 scholarships, Maricopa Community Colleges strive to make education affordable and accessible, reducing financial barriers for students pursuing aviation maintenance careers.
  

Why We Love The Support Aviation Schools Provide

The aviation maintenance profession provides security, upward mobility, and opportunities for continuous growth in a high-demand industry. As air travel continues to expand globally, skilled aircraft mechanics and technicians are critical to maintaining safety and efficiency. With an FAA-certified Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) license, technicians can work for major airlines, private aviation companies, government agencies, or even aerospace manufacturers. Unlike many traditional four-year degree paths, aviation maintenance programs can be completed in as little as 18 to 24 months, allowing students to enter the workforce quickly with specialized, hands-on training.

Beyond the financial stability, aviation maintenance provides an exciting and hands-on work environment, where no two days are the same. Technicians diagnose and repair complex aircraft systems, ensuring the safety of passengers and crew. The field also offers global placement opportunities, with job openings at international airports, airline maintenance hubs, and even military aviation sectors. Additionally, some aviation maintenance professionals often enjoy union-backed benefits, travel perks, and opportunities for career advancement, making it a rewarding long-term profession choice for those with a passion for aviation and mechanics. The industry’s orientation around people set the standard for supporting students that want to enter the profession.