Delta Air Lines & Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics Partnership to Spur Job Seekers to Fill High Demand

Sept. 18, 2017
PIA’s campuses in Pittsburgh, Youngstown, Hagerstown and Myrtle Beach have been selected as four of approximately 40 aircraft maintenance schools to partner with Delta

PITTSBURGH —- Delta Air Lines and Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA) have announced an education partnership designed to fill demand for qualified aviation maintenance technicians. PIA’s campuses in Pittsburgh, Youngstown, Hagerstown and Myrtle Beach have been selected as four of approximately 40 aircraft maintenance schools to partner with Delta in an effort to find the schools whose graduates are able to meet or exceed their high expectations.

Over 100 criteria were used in Delta's selection process including equipment and facilities, level of hands-on-training, and quality of teaching. Industry growth, increasing retirements, a decline in students seeking an education in skilled trades are factors contributing to an increasing demand for aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs).  PIA strives to provide successful career opportunities for graduates and this joint effort with Delta will continue to support the school’s mission.

“Our agreement with Delta shows the quality of our program at PIA and emphasizes the need for trained technicians.  The partnership program is a great way to think outside the box to attract technicians to Delta Air Lines,” Peg Skalican, Myrtle Beach Campus Director said.

In order for an aircraft to leave the ground, whether it is a blimp, helicopter, or fixed-wing aircraft, any maintenance must generally be signed off by a certified FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) technician.  According to Boeing’s 2016 Pilot and Technician Outlook, over 118,000 newly hired A&P technicians are needed by 2035 in North America alone.

“As baby boomers are retiring, Delta and other companies recognize the need to have quality technicians in their pipeline. Although this partnership is in its infancy stages, the opportunity for PIA students to fast-track to Delta main line is fantastic,” Butch Adams, Hagerstown Campus Director said.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics cites a median salary for aircraft mechanics and service technicians at $60,270 (medians are not reflective of starting salaries).

Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics was recognized among the top schools fighting the nation’s skills gap in a list published in 2017 by Forbes. The Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics lands as the No. 11 Two-Year Trade School in the U.S. and is the top school on the list for technical trades.

Niche rankings place Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics in the #8 position among 619 trade schools in the United States for 2017 and #2 of 23 in Pennsylvania. Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of data and reviews. Additionally, in 2017, Zippiaplaced PIA among the top 10 best U.S. junior colleges for jobs based on a variety of score card data including emphasis on job placement results.

Since 1929, Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics campus has been training certified and work-ready aviation maintenance technicians in high demand with programs in Aviation Maintenance Technology and Aviation Electronics. PIA’s flagship program, the Aviation Maintenance Technology program, has been providing quality aircraft mechanics for over 85 years. This program provides students with the opportunity to test for the prestigious FAA’s Airframe and Powerplant Certification.

ABOUT PITTSBURGH INSTITUTE OF AERONAUTICS

The school was opened by Glenn Curtiss and Orville Wright in 1927 as Curtiss-Wright Flying Service, and became PIA in 1929. PIA offers “hands-on” training for traditional and non-traditional students in Aviation Maintenance and Aviation Electronics. The instructional staff combine real world experience with class room instruction for an outstanding education. PIA also provides a wide range of student services while the student is in school, and after graduation.  The Career Services Department works one on one with students to reach their employment goals. PIA is often the first stop for many employers looking for quality employees. PIA offers an Associate in Specialized Technology Degree at its West Mifflin, PA location and Diploma/Certificate programs in Youngstown, OH, Hagerstown, MD, and Myrtle Beach, SC.  There is open enrollment through the year accompanied with admissions requirements. For more information, call 1-800-444-1440, or visit www.pia.edu.

ABOUT DELTA AIR LINES
Delta Air Lines serves more than 180 million customers each year. In 2017, Delta was named to Fortune's top 50 Most Admired Companies in addition to being named the most admired airline for the sixth time in seven years. Additionally, Delta has ranked No.1 in the Business Travel News Annual Airline survey for an unprecedented six consecutive years. With an industry-leading global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to 335 destinations in 62 countries on six continents. Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta employs more than 80,000 employees worldwide and operates a mainline fleet of more than 800 aircraft. The airline is a founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance and participates in the industry's leading transatlantic joint venture with Air France-KLM and Alitalia as well as a joint venture with Virgin Atlantic. Including its worldwide alliance partners, Delta offers customers more than 15,000 daily flights, with key hubs and markets including AmsterdamAtlanta, BostonDetroitLos AngelesMinneapolis/St. PaulNew York-JFK and LaGuardiaLondon-HeathrowParis-Charles de GaulleSalt Lake CitySeattle and Tokyo-Narita. Delta has invested billions of dollars in airport facilities, global products and services, and technology to enhance the customer experience in the air and on the ground. 
Additional information is available on the Delta News Hub, as well as delta.com, Twitter @DeltaNewsHubGoogle.com/+Delta, and Facebook.com/delta.