Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) Airport has partnered with Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) to introduce a new apprenticeship program designed to promote internal growth and sustainability of a skilled workforce in the construction and maintenance industry. The pilot program at DFW will be the first airport apprenticeship in Texas registered by the U.S. Department of Labor.

The program includes a one-year Facility Manager/Facilities Services Supervisor training conducted by a qualified, experienced DCCCD faculty member. Participants will earn a certification with the opportunity to convert to college credit. All classes will take place at DFW Airport's headquarters and will be offered at no cost to the employees.

"Nationally, apprenticeship programs are growing, and our partnership with DFW Airport reflects that trend as well as the need to have a skilled workforce in this field," said Dr. Joe May, DCCCD's chancellor. "We are focused on growing our workforce development efforts and on creating more job opportunities for Dallas County residents with partners like DFW Airport. This apprenticeship agreement, which focuses on the construction and maintenance industry, is a win-win situation for our students, business and the community."

"DFW continues to invest in new learning and development opportunities that enable our employees to grow their careers at the Airport," said Linda Valdez Thompson, DFW's executive vice president of Administration and Diversity. "This partnership with DCCCD will allow our employees to enhance their professional skills and will build a stronger, more skilled DFW Airport workforce."

A minimum of seven DFW employees will participate in the program that is set to begin in the fall. It will take approximately one year for employees to earn their certification.

DFW Airport currently employs more than 2,000 full-time employees. More than 60,000 people work on airport property with airlines, contractors and business partners. 

For more information about the Workforce & Development Economic Development program at DCCCD, visit https://workforce.dcccd.edu/talent/pages/apprenticeship.aspx.