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March 2026
For the second consecutive semester, SOWELA has reached an all-time enrollment high.
Spring 2026 enrollment increased 7.68% year over year, driven by significant growth in high-demand workforce programs. The college’s Aviation Maintenance program experienced the largest increase in registrations at 55.6%, followed by Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (32.4%) and Industrial Electrical (26.3%).
Enrollment growth in these programs reflects SOWELA’s continued emphasis on meeting Louisiana’s workforce needs and preparing students for high-wage, high-demand careers. Additional factors contributing to enrollment growth include the college’s student-first approach and robust student support services.
The college has over 4,500 students enrolled, which continues to grow this semester as individuals register for “Next Start” courses and short-term workforce training, such as CDL, EMT and HVAC, among others. The college is also experiencing growth again in the number of credit hours SOWELA students take, at 36,216, up from 34,509.
“SOWELA’s enrollment continues to set historic growth levels,” says SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall. “The programs we offer align with the job openings of our business and industry partners. This alignment provides the confidence students need to enroll so they can obtain the training they need to access the high skill, high demand and high wage jobs that exist in our region. SOWELA has become a major economic engine that helps support and drive the economy of the SWLA region.”
Registration is open for currently enrolled and prospective students in SOWELA’s “Next Start” initiative. “Next Start” allows current students to add another course to their Spring 2026 schedule or for new students to sign up for spring classes. Classes start March 12.
SOWELA Aviation Maintenance Students’ Careers Take Off Before Graduate
As Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month® shines a spotlight on the value of CTE programs nationwide, three students from SOWELA Technical Community College’s Aviation Maintenance program are living out that mission by securing full-time aviation careers before earning their college diplomas.
While many college students see summer as a chance for seasonal work, Kaeleb Minton, Jerome Linscomb and Milton Chretien turned theirs into an early career launch. After attending a SOWELA career fair and navigating a competitive hiring process, the trio was selected to participate in a paid aviation maintenance internship with Duncan Aviation, the world’s largest privately owned business jet service provider, at its headquarters in Lincoln, Nebraska.
During the paid internship, Duncan Aviation covered travel and living expenses and offered opportunities for overtime, giving the students firsthand experience in a high-demand, high-wage field. Interns were assigned to specialized teams alongside peers from across the country, gaining exposure to a wide range of aircraft systems and maintenance operations.
“The first week we had orientation and learned their computer system,” says Linscomb. “Duncan also paid for classes on specific aircraft to give us more expertise in certain areas.”
Minton and Linscomb worked on the same maintenance team, performing tasks such as changing landing gear, working flight controls, cleaning corrosion, assisting with engine runs and taxiing aircraft. Chretien served on the components team, where he worked in the accessory shop refurbishing and overhauling aircraft parts to ensure airworthiness.
All three students had completed one year of SOWELA’s Aviation Maintenance program before the internship, which they credit for preparing them to succeed. “SOWELA’s program is very hands-on, and that gave us an advantage over other interns,” says Linscomb. Chretien adds that instructors emphasized industry expectations, from reading manuals to professional conduct. “They don’t just prepare us technically—they help us grow as employees and as people.”
That preparation paid off. Following the internship, all three students were offered full-time positions with Duncan Aviation. With graduation approaching in May and careers already secured, the students are well on their way to success in the aviation industry. Their achievement also paved the way for more SOWELA students to participate in similar internships with four more hired on for summer 2026.
Visit sowela.edu for a complete list of available courses and to register. Scholarships and financial aid are available for those who qualify.
