A large expansion in the local aircraft industry and national unmet staffing demands has fueled Okanagan College to offer an additional intake of its aircraft maintenance engineering structures program this fall.
Starting on Nov. 14, the program will see up to 12 students step into KF Aerospace香蕉视频直播檚 shop space at the Kelowna International Airport to begin training for one of the region香蕉视频直播檚 most in-demand careers. Thanks to an accelerated 37-week program, students will be ready to enter the workforce by August.
香蕉视频直播淎ircraft maintenance engineer structural technicians (AME-S) have always been one of the most sought-after specialists in aviation,香蕉视频直播� said Steve Moores, dean of trades and apprenticeship at Okanagan College. 香蕉视频直播淲ith the industry growth and the number of retiring aircraft engineers, we knew it would only be a matter of time before the demand became a big obstacle for local and national employers.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淚n the last 10 years, we香蕉视频直播檝e built three new hangars in Kelowna and tripled the floor space and the number of aircraft of which we can do heavy maintenance on,香蕉视频直播� added Grant Stevens, director of human resources for KF Aerospace. 香蕉视频直播淭he number one staffing shortage we have is for AME-S香蕉视频直播攚e just can香蕉视频直播檛 hire trained technicians fast enough.香蕉视频直播�
Not only is there a local demand, there is also a nation-wide demand. Aircraft maker Boeing predicts a global industry need for 609,000 aircraft maintenance technicians over the next 20 years, making it the most in-demand occupation in the aviation industry.
After searching for, and hiring, 60 AMEs from various trades schools throughout Canada, KF Aerospace still came up short on staffing and currently has 40 openings for structural technicians. Looking for a solution, KF Aerospace approached Okanagan College earlier this summer, setting the wheels in motion for launching the new class.
香蕉视频直播淜F is supporting this new intake of students through additional space in their hangars, tools, equipment, work benches, office space and more,香蕉视频直播� said Moores. 香蕉视频直播淥ver the past five years our partnership has been amazing and this just adds to it.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淥ur commitment to Okanagan College and the AME programs is to hire a minimum of half the graduating class, however the last three years straight we香蕉视频直播檝e hired every single graduating student,香蕉视频直播� said Stevens.
This year will be no different as KF anticipates hiring the entire 12-person class. Conditional upon graduating, students will be interviewed and offered jobs in July 2018, a month before the program is even finished.
香蕉视频直播淎longside OC, we hold open houses before each program intake to show prospective students what the workplace looks like, the type of work they香蕉视频直播檒l be doing, job openings, advancement opportunities as well as what benefit and salary structures look like. We香蕉视频直播檙e very open with what OC graduates can expect from KF Aerospace,香蕉视频直播� said Stevens.
The next open house is scheduled for Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. at KF Aerospace香蕉视频直播檚 location at the Kelowna Airport. It will equip prospective students with the knowledge and resources to enrol in the program and to make a successful career in the aviation industry. Attendance is free and open to the public.
For more information on the aircraft maintenance engineering structures program and upcoming open houses, please visit www.okanagan.bc.ca/ame
