SFU was recently awarded a $1 million grant by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to launch an Aviation Maintenance Technician School.

Rob Young, Associate Vice President for Advancement, and Brother Marius Strom, an instructor in the Engineering Department, accepted the award on behalf of the University on Oct. 17. Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf was in attendance as they accepted the award.

“The grant will enable us to support much-needed 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,” said SFU President Fr. Malachi Van Tassell.

The Johnstown-Cambria County Airport will serve as the site of the school. The program will offer a certified training curriculum for Aviation Maintenance Technicians, affording them the opportunity to acquire a variety of valuable skills.

University officials hope to launch the program in late 2023. The program will take less than 18 months to complete and will be offered through Francis Worldwide.

Currently, SFU offers classes in Aviation Specialization, allowing students to obtain a commercial pilot’s license through its partnership with Nulton Aviation Services. The University is also an “elite partner” in SkyWest Airlines’ Pilot Pathways Program.