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CAREERS IN AVIATION 2013
Positive indicators in several KEY markets could mean
opportunities for those searching for aviation careers
By David Carr
If you’re thinking of a career in
aviation, here’s some handy advice:
think checklist. Canada has one of
the most dynamic and diverse aviation and air transport industries in
the world, including a rebounding
airline sector, strong corporate aviation
prospects, the second largest helicopter
fleet in the world, and Montreal; which
represents the third largest cluster of aero-space jobs in the world.
The Aerospace Industries Association of
Canada (AIAC) estimates that more than
80,000 Canadians are employed by more
than 400 aerospace firms across the country.
And while many basic aircraft maintenance,
repair and overhaul (MRO) functions have
peeled away to lower-wage countries, Canada remains strong in higher end and more
sophisticated MRO.
In the most recent downturn, equipment
manufacturers and repair and overhaul
shops were able to stem the full impact of
the skills shortage by holding onto older
workers whose retirement plans were also
put on hold by the same fiscal crisis. They
will not be able to continue pulling at that
thread for much longer.
This adds up to strong demand for hundreds of thousands of skilled professionals
to keep the airplanes flying and maintain
Canada’s position as a leading global manufacturer and exporter of aircraft engines,
flight simulators and components.
For those who have landed on the idea of
a career in aviation – along with those who
are still weighing career options or even considering a mid-career reboot – it’s a case of
choices and choosing. Hence the need for a
checklist. And while the jobs are available or
will be opening up in the near future, aviation is a more complex industry now than
when the pilots getting ready to exit the
cockpit or the maintenance technician putting down the tools first joined. Flight school
on its own may no longer be sufficient, and
that pilot licence may need to be linked with
a college degree or university diploma.
Fortunately, Canada’s training programs
are just as diverse. The country’s flight
schools, colleges and universities offer excellent programs to help chart a course along
one of the hundreds of career paths available,
both in the air and on the ground at airports,
in air traffic control or with one of the major
equipment manufacturers.
In starting your career options, consider
what job in aviation best matches your skill
potential and ambition and map out your
approach from there. Talk to professionals
in your chosen field. These interactions will
be invaluable to your pursuit, and don’t be
afraid to approach industry professionals in
all fields – they were in your shoes once, too,
and are more than happy to share their expe-
riences and insights.
Industry associations such as the Canadian Business Aviation Association, the Helicopter Association of Canada and the Air
Transport Association of Canada are also
excellent sources for information and career
guidance.
Research what education and licensing
requirements will give you a competitive
edge and which training schools offer the
courses and programs you will need. Don’t be
shy about looking out of province and don’t
forget to consider costs. Learning to fly, for
example, is very expensive and not all schools
help to arrange financing.
Valuable information on education, training and job prospects is available here in
Wings Careers in Aviation 2013, your one-
stop resource to launch a rewarding career
in aviation.
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