Hello, this is your City Editor speaking — sit back, relax, and enjoy your read. The Amazon Career Choice Program is partnering with Lakeland's International AeroTech Academy (IATA) to put Amazon employees through aircraft mechanic school.

Thanks to the partnership, employees aspiring to a career in aviation mechanics can focus on earning their certifications while their employer foots all or most of the bill. Training will be held at Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL).

So, why did this partnership come about? Amazon is hoping to address an industry shortage of aircraft mechanics. The presence of Amazon Air at LAL makes Lakeland and its aviation academy a clear choice for the partnership.

Interested Amazon employees can fill out an interest form in ~30 seconds. Upon submission of the form, interested candidates will receive help applying to IATA and Career Choice.

The inaugural class is officially in session, and a waitlist has been established for session two.