Cadet Programs Expand As Employers Seek Early Relationships With Students Ahead of Shortage

The Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology announced its recent addition of an Aviation Maintenance Technician Pathway with Skywest Airlines. The partnership will allow aspirant techs to get a leg up on their career as commercial aviation A&P technicians. Students who join the program qualify for certain benefits, offering mentoring by more experienced mechanics, earlier seniority than street hires, up to $4,500 in education assistance, and a guaranteed job interview after graduation.  

The partnership mirrors similar programs sometimes offered by schools, projects that see students build a pre-existing relationship with a hoped-for employer in the earliest stages of their career. The arrangement is especially popular in aviation, owing to the perennial personnel shortage and often quick rate of rotation between companies for qualified and certified hires. The compartmentalization and clear job expectations allow younger, more mobile professionals to leave for greener pastures wherever they may be, and a student program may help to give an early hire a much-needed boost, while tying them down with benefits that would normally take significant time investment to earn. This is the second time Spartan has joined hands with Skywest, recently joining the carrier's Pilot Pathway for aspiring aviators earlier this year. 

"The Aviation Maintenance Technician Career Pathway provides practical training and a career pathway to help students prepare for their goal of careers in aviation,” said Rob Polston, CEO of Spartan College. “We’re looking forward to helping students train for a premier airline in the regional industry.”

“Spartan is well-known for producing skilled aviation professionals and we are excited to partner with them to provide this groundbreaking new Pathway for aspiring SkyWest technicians,” said Bill Dykes, SkyWest SVP of Maintenance. “Together with Spartan, we are providing a structured Pathway, as well as financial assistance, and many SkyWest benefits as students complete their education.”

FMI: www.skywest.com, www.spartan.edu