JetBlue Airways Corporation announced the launch of Gateway University – Tech Ops, a new educational pathway that partners with Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology and Cape Cod Community College to train students for the airline’s Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) program. The initiative began accepting its first candidates in the fall of 2025, with the inaugural cohort expected to join JetBlue’s Technical Operations team in 2026.
The program spans 18 months and blends classroom instruction with hands‑on training on JetBlue’s fleet. Students earn FAA‑approved certifications in aircraft maintenance, including avionics, powerplant, and structural repair, while completing a capstone project that applies classroom concepts to real‑world maintenance scenarios. The curriculum is designed to align with JetBlue’s operational standards and to accelerate graduates into full‑time AMT roles.
Industry data show that the U.S. aviation sector will need an estimated 200,000 new AMTs over the next decade to replace retiring technicians and support fleet growth. JetBlue’s program directly addresses this shortage by creating a steady pipeline of qualified talent, reducing the airline’s reliance on external hiring and shortening the typical 12‑ to 18‑month lead time for new technicians.
By training technicians in-house, JetBlue expects to improve operational reliability and reduce maintenance‑related downtime. The initiative supports the airline’s JetForward strategy, which prioritizes cost efficiency and operational excellence. A more robust maintenance workforce is projected to lower labor costs per flight hour and enhance on‑time performance, key metrics for customer satisfaction and profitability.
JetBlue’s leadership highlighted the program’s role in sustaining long‑term growth. CEO Joanna Geraghty noted that “building a skilled, internally sourced maintenance team is essential to maintaining the high reliability standards that our passengers expect.” The first graduates, slated for 2026, will be positioned to fill critical roles as the airline expands its fleet and service network.
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