United Airlines, the only major US airline to own a flight school, has embarked on an ambitious diversity plan to train up 5,000 new pilots by 2030; and at least half of them will be women and people of colour.
Backed by scholarship commitments from United Airlines and JPMorgan Chase, United Aviate Academy will create opportunities for thousands of students, including women and people of colour to pursue a career as a commercial airline pilot; one of the most lucrative careers in the industry.
Additionally, United has partnered with Sallie Mae to offer private student loans to United Aviate Academy students who may need additional financing; to ensure that no highly-qualified, highly-motivated, eligible applicants will be turned away solely because they can’t afford to enroll. United Aviate Academy expects to enrol 100 students this year.
DIVERSIFYING PILOT RANKS
“Over the next decade, United will train 5,000 pilots who will be guaranteed a job with United, after they complete the requirements of the Aviate programme; our plan is for half of them to be women and people of colour,” confirmed United Airlines’ CEO Scott Kirby. “We’re excited that JPMorgan Chase has agreed to support our work to diversify our pilot ranks and create new opportunities for thousands of women and people of colour who want to pursue a career in aviation.”
To break down the financial barriers that limited access to the airline pilot career path for generations of women and people of colour, United has committed to fund $1.2 million in scholarships. The airline’s credit card partner, JPMorgan Chase has also committed $1.2 million to support women and people of colour who are accepted to United Aviate Academy.
ADVANCING RACIAL & GENDER EQUITY IN AVIATION
“We are proud to partner with United to support the Aviate Academy’s mission to enable thousands to pursue their dream as a commercial airline pilot,” stated Ed Olebe, President of Chase Co-Brand Cards. “Investing in this programme directly aligns with our efforts to advance racial equity by expanding career development opportunities and making tangible progress in a field where women and people of colour are underrepresented.”
United will leverage its long-standing relationships with a variety of organisations, including the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, Sisters of the Skies, the Latino Pilots Association and the Professional Asian Pilots Association to help identify and steer highly qualified, diverse candidates to the United Aviate Academy. As key partners, these organisations will select the applicants to receive the scholarships and grants funded by United and JPMorgan Chase.
United has also finalised partnerships with three HBCUs, Delaware State University, Elizabeth City State University and Hampton University, to identify top talent; and recruit them into the Aviate programme. Through the partnership, students will have the opportunity to join Aviate and connect with dedicated ambassadors and coaches who will help guide them on the path to a United flight deck.
AVIATE: LOVE TO FLY, BORN TO LEAD
United’s innovative Aviate pilot development programme provides those who aspire to a career as a United captain with the most direct route to achieving that goal. Aviate is built to accommodate pilots of all experience levels – from those with zero hours to professional pilots already flying for one of its regional partners. So, an aspiring aviator who joins the United Aviate Academy in Phoenix with no prior flying experience can become a licensed pilot within two months. Within a year, they can start earning income after receiving their commercial pilot license. Within five years, they can become a United pilot.
The United Aviate Academy’s first class of 20 pilots will begin their studies in the third quarter of 2021, with the class graduating in the first half of 2022. Graduates will then have opportunities to further pursue their careers while working specifically within the Aviate ecosystem at partner universities, professional flight training organisations and United Express carriers. It also provides support and coaching for pilots to develop into leaders who exemplify the professionalism, level of excellence and commitment to providing safe, caring, dependable and efficient service that United expects from its pilots.
For more information on Aviate, click here.
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