Students get more choices as Hillyard adds new career pathways  

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV)-- Hillyard Technical Center will see the addition of two new programs it can offer to St. Joseph School District students.

Air mechanics (airframe) and law and public safety were the two programs approved by the SJSD Board of Education in March.

Chris Gagnon, director of Hillyard, said the law and public safety program has actually been on administration's radar for quite some time.  

“We have been monitoring the situation just at large in the community and I know they are struggling to fill all their positions so it seemed like there was really a need,” Gagnon.  

The aircraft mechanics program, on the other hand, came as more of a surprise. 

Gagnon said they didn’t initially see a strong demand—until a conversation with representatives from Rosecrans Air National Guard Base and the 139th Airlift Wing changed their perspective.  

“Both programs will start next year. We have students apply for both programs. We will admit first year students in the fall of 2026 and the following year we will admit the second half of that and will be up and running,” Gagnon said.  

The course also comes given a shortage of certified aircraft mechanics, and while major airlines are hiring aggressively, smaller regional and private airports are being left without enough workers. 

Students can already apply to the programs, with the first group starting in the fall of 2026. A second cohort will follow the next year, allowing the programs to fully ramp up.  

“It's going to be very basic especially for these first year students and some of that will be classroom stuff like how do airplanes fly or the physics behind that or why are wings shaped like that,” Gagnon said.  

Gagnon emphasized that expanding program options is all about giving students more opportunities. 

He also pointed out that every program at Hillyard includes articulation agreements with post-secondary institutions. 

“Every program here has articulation agreement with post-secondary institutes and it varies by program but every program you come through is 12 to 14 hours of articulation which is free college credit,” Gagnon added.  

First-year students will focus on the basics, including classroom lessons on how airplanes fly, the physics behind lift and why wings are designed the way they are. 

By the second year, the program becomes much more hands-on, with students working toward their airframe certification.  

According to Gagnon, all programs at Hillyard are built around student interest. He said interest in the new offerings is already present across the district.

With these additions, Hillyard now offers 21 different programs. 

“We really do have something for everybody and there are students who come here who just want a foot in the door and there are also students who see this as their first step,” Gagnon said.  

Gagnon also encouraged students, staff and families to check out the different programs Hillyard offers.