MYRTLE BEACH —- Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics will host a public open house on Saturday, February 26, at 11 a.m. at its Myrtle Beach campus located at 1038 Shine Avenue Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
“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 non-profit PIA.
PIA administration and attending employers will also be available to discuss issues trending in aviation maintenance career education. Many factors, including an aging aviation maintenance workforce and shortage of trained airframe and powerplant (A&P) technicians, have employers investing in recruiting serious candidates as early as pre-enrollment. The Boeing Technician Outlook, North America points to a need for 132,000 qualified aircraft maintenance technicians between 2021 and 2040, and 626,000 globally.
“Employers are traveling to PIA to begin the recruiting process as early as first 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 across all four PIA campuses, graduates accept a full-time position within 50 days of graduation.
“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.
Attendees will also tour the campus classrooms and hangar, learn about the 16-month program, view interactive demonstrations, meet faculty and interact with current students.
