Eastern Kentucky University is the 12th school in the nation to partner with airline Allegiant Air.
The partnership will help bolster its school of aviation. It includes employment opportunities for EKU seniors, alongside more mentorship and help with credentials.
Elijah Wolf is a senior in the program. He says he’ll get more professional advice.
“So maybe perfecting that resume, getting involved in our community, volunteering, you know, all those extra things that make you a little bit better, put you ahead of everyone else,” Wolf said.
It also comes as EKU is investing $25 million dollars into a new flight school at Central Kentucky Regional Airport, and another four-and-a-half million dollars into a new terminal building.
Allegiant program manager Robert Butler says it’s a way to bolster the aviation workforce.
“This is a thing for us to deal with the pilot shortage that's going to happen,” Butler said. “I mean, you can see it already. It's been predicted there'll be 4000 pilots short next year.”
EKU already reports a 100 percent job placement rate at its School of Aviation after graduation. It currently houses 460 students.
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