By Crystal Jones
The region is addressing its skilled workforce short-age through strategic investments in technical education and industry-driven training. In Perryville, workforce development has become a key driver of economic growth, with career and technical education initiatives preparing students for high-demand occupations.
Ranken Technical College’s Southeast campus, located in the Perryville Industrial Park, currently offers six programs: Diesel Technology, Commercial Driver License (CDL), HVACR Technology, Mechanical Automation Technology, Information Technology, and Fabrication and Welding.
The campus serves as a regional training hub, attracting students from more than 30 school districts across Missouri and Illinois.
Building on that success, Ranken Southeast will launch an Aircraft Maintenance Technical School in Fall 2027. The program will be located at the Perryville Regional Airport, where students will train in an active aviation environment using real aircraft. The airport is also home to West Star Aviation, Southeast Missouri’s largest aviation employer, giving students direct exposure to real-world industry operations while strengthening the connection between education and employment.
The program is expected to enroll approximately 25 students annually, expanding the pipeline of skilled aviation maintenance professionals for employers throughout Southeast Missouri and the greater St. Louis region. Graduates will be prepared to earn Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification, qualifying them for careers in one of the nation’s most in-demand skilled trades.
The Aircraft Maintenance Technical School represents a strategic investment in aligning workforce development with employer demand. By expanding access to specialized training, the program will help regional employers meet critical hiring needs, support continued business expansion, and strengthen the region’s long-term competitiveness and economic resilience.
Demand for FAA-certified airframe and powerplant technicians continues to accelerate. The St. Louis region’s aerospace industry concentration is more than two-and-a-half times the national average, with employment growth consistently outpacing national trends. More than $5 billion in planned aerospace investments over the next decade are expected to further increase demand for aviation mechanics, avionics technicians, and other highly skilled technical professionals. Workforce initiatives such as the Perryville program will play an important role in helping meet that demand while supporting the continued growth of both the aerospace industry and the regional economy.
Crystal Jones is the Executive director of the Perry County Economic Development Authority.