Kamlager-Dove Celebrates the Next Generation of Aviation Maintenance Professionals with American Airlines, West LA College
LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, American Airlines and West Los Angeles College (WLAC) hosted Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) at the WLAC campus to learn more about the new American Airlines-WLAC partnership to train future aviation maintenance professionals. Rep. Kamlager-Dove joined a roundtable discussion with senior leaders from WLAC and American Airlines before touring the classroom space and meeting program participants.
“The next generation of aviation maintenance professionals are being trained right here in Los Angeles, thanks to American Airlines and West LA College,” said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. “It was an honor to join American Airlines, West LA College, and others today to see firsthand how the new American Airlines-WLAC partnership connects students with ongoing mentorship, hands-on experience, and career opportunities. By empowering more students to pursue good-paying jobs in the trades, not only are we promoting a safe and well-functioning society, but we are setting them up on a path for long-term financial stability and success.”
“American is proud to partner with West Los Angeles College to mentor future generations of aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs),” said Mark Miner, American Airlines Vice President of Technical Services. “There are American AMTs at Los Angeles International Airport who got their start at West and it’s rewarding to see them return to campus to share their first-hand experience with students. This partnership not only helps airlines like American hire well-trained AMTs, but it also connects students with good-paying jobs that are in high demand upon graduation.”
“The West family thanks Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove for taking time to visit with students and faculty on our campus and learn about our partnership with American Airlines,” said Dr. James M. Limbaugh, President of West Los Angeles College. “Our Aviation Maintenance Technician program offers life-changing career opportunities to graduates and we’re grateful to work with American’s team of Los Angeles-based aviation maintenance technicians to ensure our students have a head start to the hangar.”
Announced in January 2024, the partnership between West Los Angeles College and American Airlines provides students direct access to the airline’s Los Angeles-based aviation maintenance technicians through ongoing engagement opportunities and guaranteed interviews for top-performing students. The American team of locally-based AMTs work side-by-side with students, providing ongoing mentorship and real-world experience ahead of a fulfilling career with high earning potential that does not require a traditional four-year degree.
Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove alongside WLAC students and faculty, senior leaders from American Airlines, and aviation maintenance professionals representing the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
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