Sinclair, SNC to Launch Aviation-Focused Workforce Pipeline Program

Sinclair Community College and SNC, the global aerospace and defense company, were joined today by Lt. Governor Jim Tressel to announce the launch of the “SNC-Sinclair Academy,” establishing the Dayton region’s first employer co-designed aviation workforce pipeline.

“This partnership between SNC and Sinclair Community College is exactly the kind of collaboration that strengthens Ohio’s workforce and keeps our state moving forward. Students succeed when employers and educators stay connected to what’s happening in the real world and work together to prepare young people for the opportunities ahead," said Lt. Governor Jim Tressel.

The partnership aims to create a sustainable stream of production-ready aerospace and aviation maintenance technicians to support maintenance, repair and overhaul. Unlike traditional training agreements, the academy features a co-governed talent architecture that includes a direct hiring pathway for graduates who meet SNC’s readiness standards, targeting students in Sinclair’s Aviation Technology (AVT) program, specifically those with A&P licensure or those who are in pursuit of it.

“The gap in skilled technicians is a big hurdle, which is why this partnership is so important," said Mark C. Williams, SNC senior vice president and Dayton site executive. "We’re working with Sinclair to make sure these technicians walk through our doors already knowing our systems inside and out. They won't just have a degree; they'll be ready to hit the floor running on day one."

The Academy’s evaluation framework was developed jointly by SNC technical directors and Sinclair’s Workforce Development leadership and Aviation Technology faculty. At the core of the SNC-Sinclair Academy is a rigorous “production-readiness” model that transforms baseline aviation skills into SNC-specific performance. Rather than reteaching broad A&P fundamentals, the Academy zeroes in on how work is performed, documented, inspected and released inside SNC’s operation to close the most significant readiness gaps. Graduates emerge “SNC Production Ready,” validated through rigorous task performance assessments, reviews and instructor evaluations mapping directly to SNC’s technician organization.

"The partnership with SNC is exactly what Sinclair envisions with workforce development - an opportunity for our students to walk straight onto a job site with a clear, fast track to a great career," said Steven L. Johnson, president and CEO at Sinclair. "Through the SNC-Sinclair Academy, our students get the inside track on the skills they need and a guaranteed seat at the table with one of the best employers in the region."

The three-part model combines a knowledge exam integrating FAA-standard content with SNC-specific topics and hands-on practical assessments focused on industry-aligned tasks, in addition to a standardized performance rubric guiding evaluation of candidates across documentation accuracy, time management and FOD (Foreign Object Debris) control.

In its initial phase, the Academy focuses on three core technical disciplines: structural repair and modification, airframe and powerplant systems, and avionics and electrical systems. Candidates train in a high-intensity, cohort-based environment, integrating targeted instruction on SNC quality systems, documentation standards, and regulatory expectations with hands-on labs simulating real work orders, travelers, non-conformance reports and inspection gates.

Lt. Governor Jim Tressel continued, "Through the state's new WorkOhio program, we’re helping connect Ohioans to programs like this that open doors to meaningful careers and long-term success right here at home. The future of aerospace is being built in Ohio, and it’s exciting to see Dayton continuing to lead the way.”

The Academy is anchored in a phased, iterative framework that grows with both partners. The first phase establishes assessment infrastructure and pilots the evaluation model with an initial candidate cohort. Subsequent phases will deliver a hybrid, high-intensity onboarding bridge program; embed SNC-specific training modules permanently into Sinclair’s FAA Part 147 A&P curriculum; and explore a Department of Labor registered apprenticeship in which students are employed by SNC while completing their Sinclair degree. Formal bi-annual governance reviews and shared performance data will institutionalize continuous improvement at every stage.

“The workforce gap in aviation and aerospace is real, and it’s urgent,” said Jeffrey A. Miller, senior vice president for workforce development at Sinclair Community College. “The SNC-Sinclair Academy is designed from the ground up to be the kind of partnership that moves the needle, producing validated, credentialed, production-ready professionals.”

Future discussions will also explore structured internship programs, instructor exchanges, and joint curriculum development initiatives, offering a seamless, self-sustaining bridge between classroom learning and operational excellence. The academy plans to address a broader range of SNC job families, including engineering, quality assurance, logistics and administration.