Saturday Event Showcases Aviation Maintenance Careers

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — The Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics is hosting a public open house at its Youngstown campus this weekend.

Institute administration and employers will be on hand to discuss careers in aviation maintenance at the event scheduled for 11 a.m. Feb. 26 at 1453 Youngstown-Kingsville Road NE. Attendees can tour the campus classrooms and hangar, learn about the 16-month program, view interactive demonstrations, meet faculty and interact with current students.

“We are incredibly happy to resume our tradition of introducing potential students to PIA and providing our employers with the opportunity to share information about the positions for which they are recruiting,” said Suzanne Markle, president and CEO of the nonprofit PIA.

Click HERE to register for the event.

Administration and employers will also discuss issues trending in aviation maintenance career education, according to a release. An aging workforce and shortage of trained airframe and powerplant technicians have employers investing in recruiting serious candidates as early as pre-enrollment.

Some 132,000 qualified aircraft maintenance technicians will be needed in North America between now and 2040 – 626,000 globally, according to the Boeing Technician Outlook.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Labor reports through 2030, aviation maintenance and avionics jobs will grow at a rate of 11%.

PIA looks to recruit more women into the industry as well. Of the 306,301 licensed airline mechanics in the U.S., only 7,860 (2.6%) identify as female. Enrollment trends at training schools show that number is increasing, according to the release. Currently, 8% of PIA students identify as female.

“Employers are traveling to PIA to begin the recruiting process as early as 1st semester and even partnering to raise career awareness prior to enrollment which is indicative of high demand,” said Markle. “Once enrolled, employers are more frequently following students’ progress to graduation, and it’s becoming more common for a student to receive an employment offer prior to graduation contingent on successfully completing the federal exam.”

On average, PIA graduates accept a full-time position within 50 days of graduation, according to the release.

“Additionally, employers are extending employment offers prior to graduation contingent on successfully completing the federal exam, often with signing bonuses starting at $2,500 and higher, as well as relocation packages, job growth and management planning, and in-kind donations such as maintenance tools are becoming more common to support graduates in choosing an employer,” said Mindy L. Pavilonis, PIA’s associate director of career services.

Image: Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics

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