Purple Runway Scholarship Strengthens Talent Pipeline for Aircraft Mechanics
Successful partnerships create impact. They leverage opportunity and demand to promote a stronger economy. They spot a problem and focus the fix.
One problem in need of a fix is the widely anticipated shortage of Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (or aircraft mechanics), which could have serious implications for the commercial aviation industry. Thanks to an existing partnership with FedEx, ASU Mid-South is pleased to announce its selection for participation in the FedEx Purple Runway Aviation Scholarship Program, created by FedEx Express.
As one of only six collaborating universities and technical schools from around the country selected for this $2.5 million scholarship program, which targets both aircraft mechanics and pilots, ASU Mid-South is proud to be one of only two aviation maintenance programs selected and the only aircraft mechanic program selected from Arkansas. Other partner colleges include the University of Memphis, Delta State University, the University of North Dakota, Indiana State University, and the Tennessee College of Applied Technology.
Greg Hall, Executive Vice President of FedEx Express, said the U.S. education system should sharpen its focus on preparing young people for the good-paying jobs in the aviation industry that are needed to support growing international and domestic trade.
“E-commerce is driving increasing demands on both air and ground transportation networks at a time when large numbers of workers in these fields are retiring, or nearing retirement,” Hall said. “We are working with schools to strengthen the pipeline of talented and diverse pilots, mechanics and other aviation professionals. The FedEx Purple Runway Aviation Scholarship helps lay that foundation for an individual to have a promising and successful career in the industry that FedEx Express created.”
The $200,000 scholarship agreement with ASU Mid-South will provide approximately eight aircraft technician scholarships annually a year over a five year period. Students must be enrolled in an aircraft maintenance (aircraft mechanic) certification program with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and, as an important component of the FedEx Cares Employment Pathways Strategy, special consideration is given to under-represented populations, including women and minorities.
For more information on the ASU Mid-South’s FedEx Purple Runway Scholarship Program, please contact Jeff Gray at wjgray@asumidsouth.edu or 870-733-6805.
