First State Times

DOVER, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (both D-Del.) helped unveil a retired DeHavilland Dash-8 engine donation from Piedmont Airlines to the Polytech School of Aviation Maintenance,one of Polytech’s adult education programs, at an event in Dover. They were joined for the announcement by Eric Morgan, CEO of Piedmont Airlines;Kurt Yorgey, Director of Aircraft Maintenance at Piedmont Airlines; and Jeremy McEntire, Assistant Director of Adult Education at Polytech.

“Delaware has a first-class workforce because our schools have a great history of working closely with businesses to anticipate their labor needs,” said Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.). “This new partnership between Polytech’s aviation maintenance program and Piedmont Airlines will help ensure our students are learning the skills to make them ready for the job.”

“Connecting students with access to cutting-edge technology is an essential part of building a well-prepared workforce,” said Senator Coons. “Thanks to Piedmont Airlines, this new turbo propeller engine will provide students at Polytech’saviationmaintenanceprogram a critical educational advantage, and help ensure the next generation of aviation experts are able to meet the challenges of tomorrow right here in Delaware.”  

“Like many industries across our economy, the aviation industry continues to feel the impact of workforce shortages of skilled workers. In this case, it’s a shortage of qualified pilots, mechanics, and technicians,” said Congresswoman Blunt Rochester. “What the Polytech School of Aviation Maintenance is able to offer its students is a pathway to gaining the skills, tools, and resources they need to take on in-demand jobs in aviation technologies – helping us address the shortage while investing in our workforce, our economy, and our nation. I thank Piedmont Airlines for their investment in Polytech through this turbo propeller engine, and I look forward to seeing how it will help support Polytech’s role in strengthening aviation through innovation.” 

The new engine provides additional opportunities for Polytech to offer its students hands-on access to the kinds of technology on which they’re training to build a career. The turboprop engine will complement the jet turbine engine the school already owns, and will allow Polytech’s next class of seven enrolled students a chance to work with an engine on which they will be tested before receiving their certifications from theFederal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Polytech and Piedmont are some of the partners working to connect Delawareans to careers in the aviation sector, which currently has high demand for more workers at high salaries. 

“The Polytech School of Aviation Maintenance is very grateful to Piedmont Airlines for the donation of a turboprop engine,” said Jeremy McEntire, Assistant Director of Adult Education at Polytech. “This is a critical piece of equipment that we were missing. Our students are required to know about these engines and will be tested on them for their FAA exams. Until now, the best we could offer was to tell them about turboprops and show them photos online. That is good, but not the same. The engine from Piedmont is a game changer for our students and our program.”

“At Piedmont, we firmly believe in the power of workforce development opportunities that provide hands-on experiences in helping to shape the future of aviation,” said Eric Morgan, CEO of Piedmont Airlines. “We take great pride in donating an engine tothePolytech School of AviationMaintenance, knowing that it will serve as more than just a piece of equipment. It symbolizes our commitment to excellence and our desire to invest in career training in the communities in which we live and work. By providing these students with the opportunity to gain practical experience, we are not only shaping skilled professionals,but also creating a pipeline of talent for the future.” 

Original source can be found here.