Saint Francis University's Aviation Maintenance Technician Program Achieves FAA Certification

Loretto, PA (07/17/2024) - Saint Francis University proudly announces that its new Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) certificate program received formal Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification in late May.

This milestone makes the AMT program the only FAA Part 147 aviation maintenance technician school in Cambria County and the only offering of its kind in the surrounding counties.

SFU's new AMT program provides a comprehensive FAA-aligned, 21-month curriculum emphasizing specialized hands-on training. Students gain expertise in precision, detail-oriented maintenance, and manufacturing tasks to prepare to take the FAA General, Airframe, and Powerplant exams by the end of the program.

Brianna Pavkovich, a seasoned AMT who heads up the SFU program, shared her thoughts on the University's new workforce development offering. "We are thrilled to see our vision to create an innovative, high-quality aviation maintenance program with an FAA-aligned curriculum become a reality. Our ultimate goal is to produce exceptional mechanics with a desire for continuous learning, a stellar commitment to safety, and a heart for serving others. Our new hanger location at Johnstown Airport provides a unique opportunity for regional community members to receive top-tier training in an in-demand field."

The U.S. Department of Labor highlights a critical workforce gap in aviation maintenance, projecting a need for 132,000 new technicians in the U.S. by 2040.

Saint Francis University was awarded a $1 million grant by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) in 2022 to launch an Aviation Maintenance Technician School. Now with this FAA approval, the program is officially open for enrollment. The University will accept a maximum of 25 students into the first offering, starting August 26, 2024. Future students can enter the program in January or August 2025.

The University has been a strong advocate for developing programming valued by employers that supports Pennsylvania's workforce needs, including combating shortages in the aviation industry.

"The FAA certification marks a significant achievement for our program and Saint Francis University," shared University President Fr. Malachi Van Vassell, T.O.R. Ph.D. "The ARC grant and additional donations of critical equipment from the aviation industry have enabled us to move forward. As an institution of higher learning, we are eager to support much-needed skilled workforce development programming in the field of aviation maintenance through our collaboration with the Johnstown-Cambria County Airport Authority, Nulton Aviation Services, Cambria County, SkyWest Airlines, and Lockheed Martin Aeroparts, Inc.,"

In addition to this new AMT program, SFU offers an Aviation Pilot License Specialization, which leads to a commercial pilot's license in collaboration with Nulton Aviation Services. The University is also an Elite Partner in SkyWest's Airline's Pilot Pathways program.

The AMT technical certificate program is aligned with the University's degree portfolio, allowing enrolled students to seamlessly transition their AMT curriculum into a flexible, fully online associate in applied science or a bachelor's degree in organizational leadership to broaden their career prospects.

A ribbon cutting is planned for Saint Francis University's Aviation Education Center and the Aviation Maintenance Technician program in late August.

For more information on the AMT certificate program, contact Brianna Pavkovich, AMT Program Director, at [email protected], 814-471-1153, or visit francis.edu/amt.