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Feds give boost to northern B.C.’s aviation industry

"Our Government understands that a productive aviation industry requires skilled workers to remain competitive," said Richard Harris, Member of Parliament for Cariboo-Prince George, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification. "This investment in virtual flight training simulators not only benefits Northern B.C.'s aviation industry, but will create jobs for Canadians."

The College of New Caledonia will purchase two virtual state-of-the-art flight training simulators for a new aviation industry training program at the College of New Caledonia. With this training, students in the Aviation Business Diploma Program at the College of New Caledonia will gain valuable skills for working in this high demand sector, and help fill the demand for skilled workers over the next decade.

"Our goal is to provide high quality and a full range of aviation training for people from northern B.C., from 100 Mile House north to Quesnel, Prince George, west to Prince Rupert and northeastern B.C.," said Ty Roberts, CNC's Program Planner for the Aviation Business program. "This is a chance for students to train for a rewarding career in the north. The prospects for aviation pilots appear to be improving greatly for the next five to 10 years. There is a shortage of airline pilots in mid-level operations and it's predicted there will be a shortage of 300,000 pilots."

The College of New Caledonia provides a comprehensive range of university credit, technical, career and vocational programs. The College enrolls about 5,000 students each year (all campuses) in approximately 90 distinct programs in business and management, community and continuing education, health sciences, adult basic education / upgrading, trades and industry, social services, and technologies. The main campus is in Prince George with satellite campuses in Burns Lake, Mackenzie, Quesnel, Vanderhoof and Fort St. James, as well several smaller communities.