University of Maryland Eastern Shore honors inaugural aircraft maintenance school graduates

One year after the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) opened the doors to their Aviation Maintenance School in Salisbury, Maryland, 12 students successfully graduated with a Certificate of Completion taking a first step toward their career in aviation maintenance. The ceremony was held in UMES’ hangar facility, and was attended by Maryland Governor Wes Moore, representatives from the State of Maryland and Wicomico County, Piedmont Airlines, UMES leadership, family and friends.

“I remember when I was here on my 100^th day in office,” Governor Moore addressed the graduates. “I wanted to spend it here to see the progress on the school. I saw an empty hangar where this school now exists. Today, we are here to celebrate you [future aircraft maintenance technicians]. You’re in high demand and you all have something now that the world needs.”

Piedmont President and CEO Eric Morgan spoke to the graduates sharing his sentiments on the unique distinction of being the first graduating class. “Being the first means something. You didn’t simply complete a program, you helped establish a legacy,” shared Morgan as graduates looked on.

The UMES aviation maintenance program was developed in collaboration with Piedmont Airlines, Wicomico County, the State of Maryland, and Salisbury-Wicomico Economic Development. The partnership aims to address the growing demand for skilled aircraft maintenance technicians (AMTs) as the current workforce begins to retire and travel demand continues to rise. The 12-month course covers Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) general, airframe and powerplant subject areas and includes hands-on and classroom experience.

Located just steps from Piedmont’s maintenance base, UMES students benefited from hangar tours and mentorship opportunities with our maintenance team who helped shape the program’s curriculum. This time last year, Piedmont donated an Embraer 145 aircraft and two Rolls-Royce turbofan engines to the program so students could learn on real equipment and gain the hands-on experience this profession demands.

Graduates of the program are required to obtain their Airframe and Powerplant licenses to become a certified AMT. Piedmont’s Maintenance Recruiting team looks forward to qualified graduates applying to job openings that would have them working as a Piedmont AMT adjacent to the UMES hangar where they trained.

“The future of aviation depends on students like you,” Morgan told graduates. “That is why Piedmont believes so strongly in investing in the next generation of aviation professionals and why our partnership with UMES is so important to us. I’m proud to share that we’ll soon welcome some of today’s graduates to Piedmont as aviation maintenance technicians.”

University of Maryland Eastern Shore representatives were proud to share that this Fall’s class of aspiring aviation maintenance technicians is full with 25 students. “We know that companies like Piedmont want to grow and a new generation of aviation maintenance technicians are being trained right here on the Eastern Shore,” said Moore.

Piedmont is proud to invest in the next generation of aviation professionals.  Our comprehensive pathway programs offer a clear and supported route to achieving your goals, whether you aspire to be a pilot, aircraft maintenance technician, dispatcher, or gain invaluable industry experience through an internship. To learn more about Piedmont’s pathway programs, click here.