UD and Cape Air Sign Agreement for Preferred Hiring
Feb 9, 2017 | Stacey Ortman, director of public information
DUBUQUE, Iowa – University of Dubuque signed an agreement with Cape Air-JetBlue University Gateway Program on Wednesday, Feb. 8, in Welch Dining Room, Charles & Romona Myers Center, to implement a preferred hiring gateway for UD aviation students.
“Today the airline industry is facing an unprecedented pilot shortage. Cape Air has made it our mission to create long-term solutions to mitigate this problem,” said Craig Bentley, senior vice president of pilot sourcing and industry relations with Cape Air. “By entering into this agreement with the University of Dubuque we ensure the high-quality graduates of this school have a guaranteed path to an airline cockpit, the University has a robust cadre of flight instructors, and Cape Air has a consistent and steady stream of highly-skilled and qualified pilots to add to our workforce.”
The agreement provides a structured pathway for aviation students to become a first officer with JetBlue. Students who apply and are accepted into the Gateway Program will follow a defined pathway that leads them to a guaranteed interview with JetBlue upon completion of the program.
“UD is pleased to be able to increase job opportunities for graduates. We have a number of students from the Northeast, and gaining a position with Cape Air makes sense for those future graduates,” said Steven Accinelli, director of aviation programs and professor of aviation. “UD recruits nationally for its aviation programs, and we have graduates located throughout the country.”
In the Gateway Program, students are expected to complete an internship within the industry, graduate from UD, serve as a certified flight instructor for at least a year, fly for Cape Air and/or ExpressJet for two to three years, attend a jet transition course, and complete a first officer interview.
The signing signals the latest airline agreement at UD that provides students a pathway to careers in aviation. Other agreements include Delta Airlines Inc. and Endeavor Air Inc. Agreement, Envoy Cadet Program, ExpressJet Airline Pilot Pathway Program, SkyWest Pilot Bridge Program, PSA Pilot Cadet Program, and Piedmont Airlines Pilot Cadet Program.
