BCIT funding to Help Address Skills Shortage in Aerospace Sector

May 24, 2008

Vancouver, B.C. — The Government of Canada is investing in the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) to improve the skills and knowledge of students through quality education and skills development.

Federal funding of $80,000 toward training programs at BCIT was announced today by Mark Warawa, Member of Parliament for Langley on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification.

“Talented, skilled, creative people are critical to building and sustaining a successful BC economy over the long-term,” said MP Warawa. “Our government is committed to helping Canadians acquire the skills they need to participate in the knowledge-based economy.”

The funding from Western Economic Diversification Canada will allow BCIT to develop and implement a custom graphical user interface for the Primus 2000 test bench donated by Honeywell Aerospace. This will ensure that students become familiar not only with avionics theory, but gain hands-on experience, providing them with a competitive advantage upon their transition into the workforce.

“Technology is at the heart of education at BCIT, and this support from Western Economic Diversification will enhance the strong relationship we already have with Honeywell, one of our key industry partners, said Don Wright, President of BCIT. “This ensures that BCIT can provide leading-edge training and technology to its aerospace students.”

In the fall of 2007, BCIT opened its new Aerospace Technology Campus on Sea Island. The new facility provides sufficient space to accommodate 20 training aircraft and increased BCIT’s capacity to train an additional 1,000 students. With the aerospace industry expecting 900 new jobs to be created post-2010, funding of training programs such as these is critical.

Honeywell Aerospace, along with Western Economic Diversification Canada, has been a long-time supporter of BCIT’s Aerospace Program, having provided support for many joint initiatives with industry partners.

Western Economic Diversification Canada is a department of the Government of Canada that works in partnership with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the economy of Western Canada.