Piedmont Airlines and Mohawk Valley Community College have partnered on an accelerated 12-month tuition assistance program for qualified students in MVCC’s Airframe & Powerplant Certificate program. Up to 10 scholarships will be available for the Fall 2022 semester.

The program is designed to attract new and diverse talent to the high-demand field of aviation maintenance by removing the financial barriers and job uncertainties that may hinder some from entering the field. In addition to full-tuition assistance, it will provide qualified aviation maintenance students with conditional job offers at Piedmont Airlines before they begin classes at MVCC’s Aviation Training Center, located on the airfield at Griffiss International Airport in Rome, N.Y.

MVCC has been a proud partner of Piedmont Airlines for the past seven years, specifically providing new talent support for Piedmont’s maintenance base in Albany, N.Y.

“Piedmont Airlines has been a strong partner for several years and this generous initiative is their latest effort to help accelerate the pathway to an exciting and rewarding career for our students,” MVCC President Randall VanWagoner said. “I’m looking forward to seeing the incredible difference this will make in the lives of the students.”

Jessica Weney, Senior Recruiter Maintenance Tech Ops for Piedmont Airlines, said, “The tuition payment program is an amazing opportunity that helps remove financial barriers for those interested in the aviation maintenance field. The program sets each candidate up for success by funding their studies and certification fees, as well as providing them with a career after graduation.”

MVCC’s FAA-authorized certificate program (Certificate #VXYT570K) is structured as a full-time, 40-hour-per-week training program that runs in three consecutive semesters. It is one of only two community college-based aviation maintenance programs in New York State and one of only a few one-year programs in the country. The program runs for 12 months, and Spring 2022 program costs for a New York State resident (without room and board expenses) is $17,964, which includes the required tool set and all FAA exam fees.

For more information, contact Aviation Programs Director Walt Constantini at 315-338-7826 or wconstantini@mvcc.edu, or visit mvcc.edu/aviation.