Sault College is planning to expand its aviation program and will use $1 million from the province to install a training simulator, renovate teaching spaces, and upgrade navigational equipment on existing aircraft.
“This significant investment in our aviation program will allow our college to continue to educate and train highly qualified and skilled pilots,” said Greg Mapp, chair of aviation at Sault College, in a news release.
“Aviation is a very specialized, competitive industry and this funding will allow our program to grow and evolve to better serve the needs of our learners.”
The school said it would work to expand the aviation program over the next several years.
“With the high demand in the aviation industry, this funding will help to transform our program, give our students opportunities to learn and train in state-of-the-art facilities and equip our students with the skills they need to succeed in their careers,” said David Orazietti, the college’s dean of aviation, trades and technology, natural environment and business.
“We welcome the support from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation and look forward to moving forward with these enhancements.”
Sault College’s aviation technology flight program prepares students for a career as a professional pilot, giving them hands-on training with a combination of in-aircraft training and simulator training.
A March, 2018 report by the Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace indicates demand for pilots already outpaces supply, and the aviation industry will need an additional 7,300 pilots by 2025.
The organization noted that fewer than 1,200 new commercial pilot licences are issued each year.
