Will Increase Airline's Access To Qualified Pilot Applicants

Republic Airways Holdings and The Ohio State University (OSU) have signed a Career Pipeline Interview Agreement that will increase Republic’s access to qualified applicants for Pilots and to increase employment opportunities for Ohio State graduates.

“These partnerships are crucial for our Company in combating the serious Pilot shortage,” said Lauren McNamara, College Relations Consultant for Republic. “Current students and parents of incoming college students are encouraged by these opportunities.”

Republic now boasts Career Pipeline Interview Agreements with 16 top aviation universities across the country, including Purdue University, Vincennes University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach and University of North Dakota, among others. The OSU agreement was signed last week during the annual NIFA Safecon national competition at Ohio State Airport (KOSU).

The career pipeline interview program allows aviation students to interview before they graduate. If all qualifications are met, students could be given a conditional offer of employment. Pilots also will receive a $7,500 signing bonus upon employment.

“The pipeline agreement we’ve signed with Republic Airways brings Ohio State students and alumni great benefits: a defined path to a leading regional carrier while they are engaged in flight training, the provision of mentorship opportunities and the potential opportunity to live in-base without having to move out of Columbus,” said Martin Rottler, Airline Bridge Program Coordinator for OSU’s Center for Aviation Studies.

Since beginning the pipeline agreement program late last fall, Republic has offered more than 100 conditional offers of employment to flight students who are building flight time.

“That number is growing on a weekly basis, and we’re just getting started,” McNamara said. “These conditional offers are going to provide our largest pool of qualified applicants within the next few years, and I’m glad Ohio State students will be among that bunch.”

(Source: Republic Airways Holdings news release)

FMI: www.rjet.com