Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics hosts career fair on Youngst

Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics hosts career fair on Youngstown campus

Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics’ (PIA) will host dozens of aviation companies from across the United States at their Youngstown Campus career fair on March 20, 2024.

PIA students will have the opportunity to interview in person with present companies in hopes of securing a job in advance of graduation. Some students approaching the academic finish line have already accepted jobs, but those who do not will have the opportunity to meet with possible future employers. Numerous visiting employers are planning to connect with students in their first, second and third semesters, as well, to create future interest in their companies and build a pipeline for talent recruitment.

The below companies have already registered for the fair and plan to attend to recruit currently enrolled students:

DELTA AIRLINES
WISCONSIN WATER
WATER ENDEAVORS
PSA AIRLINES
SKYWEST AIRLINES
SPIRIT AIRLINES
FEAM AERO
DUNCAN AVIATION
KALITTA WATER
BOMBARDIER
GULFSTREAM
AMES – AIRBORNE MAINTENANCE & ENGINEERING SERVICES
CONSTANT AVIATION/FLEXJET
LOCKHEED MARTIN AEROPARTS
GE AEROSPACE
WINNER AVIATION

A nationwide labor shortage has put skilled aviation mechanics in high demand, making the latest employment rates from PIA’s Youngstown Campus graduates at 98%. In addition, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook reported that the median salary for aviation mechanics in 2023 is reported as $70,740, while starting salaries range between $48,000 and $58,000.

According to Boeing’s 2023-2042 Pilot and Technician Outlook, 125,000 new mechanics and avionics professionals will need to join the field over the next 20 years to meet the growing needs of the aviation industry in the United States. Many of these openings are due to upcoming retirements, as ATEC estimates 38% of current aviation mechanics are at least 60 years of age. If these retirees aren’t replaced, airlines will be forced to reduce the number of flights they operate.

“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,” said Suzanne Markle, President and CEO of PIA. “Hands-on learners who love creative problem-solving and pride themselves on high-quality work find that the aviation maintenance field offers an incredible opportunity to have a long and rewarding career.”