YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Youngstown State University is stepping into the aviation industry.

A partnership was announced Wednesday with the Western Reserve Port Authority on a new pilot training center.

The program was created earlier this year by Eastern Gateway Community College, but it was in danger of closing when the school announced it was stopping enrollment.

Officials say the agreement will include flight classes at the Regional Airport in Vienna, which will eventually help fill a growing need for trained pilots

“We’re gonna need to place 50,000 in the U.S. and more than triple that number across the globe — pilot shortage, mechanics shortage, everything to do with aviation and that was exacerbated during the pandemic,” said Nike Hillman, Youngstown Airport fixed base operator.

The current group of Eastern Gateway students is expected to begin flight training in May and then the next full class with YSU could begin in June.

In addition to the launch of the flight school at the airport, the aviation mechanics school already there held a job fair Wednesday.

Directors with the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics used the terminal of the regional airport to host a job fair for students and prospective employers.

Administrators say a recent study by aircraft maker Boeing shows a need for 125,000 mechanics and technicians over the next 20 years to meet demand.

“And if there’s a problem with the aircraft, as you see today in the news, maintenance technicians are a big part of (fixing) that. So, we are trying to fill that void and making sure that we put out a quality product of students who can go work in the industry,” said Joe Dermao, with the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics.

More than a dozen employers took part in the event, including Delta and Spirit Airlines.

Administrators say the opportunities are so great that 98% of PIA’s students are hired soon after graduation.