SkyWest Airlines Donates Aircraft to SJVC During Open House as City of Fresno Declares May 18th “SJVC/SkyWest Airlines Day”

The SJVC Fresno – Trades Education Center (SJVC Fresno TEC) hosted an open house with SkyWest Airlines for its Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) program which included several guest speakers including Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer and Assemblyman Jim Patterson. As part of the event, SkyWest unveiled the CRJ200 aircraft that was retired and donated by SkyWest for students to work on as Mayor Jerry Dyer presented SJVC with a proclamation from the City of Fresno honoring SJVC’s relationship with SkyWest Airlines by declaring May 18^th as “SJVC/SkyWest Airlines Day.”

According to SkyWest Airlines, “We’re excited for the opportunities this donation will provide for students pursuing their A&P by giving them real-world, hands-on experience with commercial aircraft and components,” said Wade Steel, SkyWest Chief Commercial Officer. “This investment of resources is just another step SkyWest is taking to support students as they advance toward becoming aviation technicians.”

SJVC was the only California college that received a donated airframe and parts from SkyWest Airlines[1]. The donated CRJ200 aircraft will provide students with an enhanced experience as they have a chance to learn and hone their skills while completing their training program.

“SJVC’s mission is to create career ready graduates, and this partnership with SkyWest does that,” said Campus Director at SJVC Fresno TEC, Ron Gardner. “Now our graduates can confidently get a job knowing they have already worked on a commercial airliner.”

In addition to donating the retired Bombardier CRJ200 Regional Jet, SkyWest is supporting future aviation technicians through its AMT Pathway Program, which offers students in SJVC’s AMT program the opportunity to get a jumpstart on their career while enrolled at SJVC. This program allows students to qualify for access to SkyWest benefits, such as mentoring by experienced mechanics, enhanced company seniority, and a final job interview to become an A&P mechanic at one of SkyWest’s maintenance locations.

Learn more about the AMT Pathway Program and the Aviation Maintenance Technology program at SJVC Fresno TEC.

Learn more about the event in The Fresno Bee: Airline donates retired jetliner to Fresno college

[1] SkyWest press release with each college and location that received a donation: https://files-skywest-com.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/Uploads/SkyWest-Airlines-Invests-in-Next-Generation-of-Aviation-Technicians.pdf?ver=1659565438