Manitoba Aerospace: Going strong!

The Manitoba Aerospace Association (MAA) and the Manitoba Aerospace Human Resources Council (MAHRC) held their combined Annual General Meeting in October. Presentations at the event recapped statistics from the overall Canadian aerospace Industry:

• 700 companies employ 172,000 Canadians and have annual revenues of $21.5 billion; 80 per cent of that is exported;
• Innovation is key to the industry’s future, with R&D levels five times the manufacturing average at $1.7 billion annually, which is a 40 per cent increase in R&D investment over five years;
• Globally, five per cent annual growth in air traffic will double the current fleet size to over 42,000 aircraft (36,000 new aircraft including replacements), which will be a $5.2 trillion market; and
• The goal is to strengthen the competitiveness of Canadian aerospace to get our share of that $5.2 trillion.

In 2010, the Aerospace  Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) commissioned Deloitte to produce the “Strategic and Economic Impact of the Canadian Aerospace Industry” report. This was followed by the Emerson report on Aerospace and Space and the Jenkins Report on Defence Procurement. These government/industry partnerships have led to funding a new Technology Demonstration Program to support commercialization of industry R&D, as well as recapitalization of the Strategic Aerospace & Defence Initiative (SADI).

 

A particular innovation and technology achievement has been the launch of the Consortium for Aerospace Research and Innovation in Canada (CARIC), including regional representation, with a new office being established in Winnipeg in collaboration with the MAA. A presentation on CARIC was provided by Denis Faubert, the consortium’s president and CEO. He also invited interested parties to follow the development of this initiative by signing up for newsletters at www.caric.ca.

 

Recent activities and accomplishments of Manitoba’s aersopace industry were highlighted:

• Accelerating Innovation published the Technology Road Map (TRM) and formed the Research and Technology Committee to implement the TRM, while engaging with others locally and nationally in R&D;
• Supported education and workforce development with MAHRC through the Student Awards Endowment Fund, working with Red River College and University of Manitoba, and bringing Transport Canada’s Aircraft Certification course to Winnipeg;
• Coordinating national and international initiatives with MAHRC and AIAC on the continuing implementation of Emerson and Jenkins recommendations;
• Promoting aerospace as a strategic industry with Manitoba Aerospace Week (May 26-30, 2014), Manitoba Aviation and Aerospace Magazine (twice yearly), advocacy and briefings; and
• Enhancing Manitoba’s aerospace reputation on the world stage through briefings, teaming and working with others on inbound and outbound missions, international trade shows and enhanced web presence.

MAHRC focused on six key areas including:

• Competitive Edge Supplier Development Program to help Manitoba companies achieve and maintain world class standards in manufacturing productivity and quality assurance;
• Educational infrastructure pathways with Manitoba’s institutions and trainers;
• Career awareness including Aerospace and Aviation in Manitoba Day with His Royal Highness Prince Charles, all aimed at making science and technology fun and exciting for students from grade six and up while exploring career paths; and
• Partnerships with like-minded organizations. A particular highlight was the launch of the Birch Bark Canoe: navigating a new world that celebrates First Nations ingenuity and technology in the design and achievements of the birch bark canoe – long before the railway! It is a documentary with teacher’s curriculum guide that will help build bridges with our indigenous peoples while encouraging more to carry on the birch bark canoe traditions with a career in aerospace!

Next on the calendar is the Manitoba Aerospace ALL-STARS Awards of Excellence dinner, Nov. 20, 2014. Manitoba Aerospace never stops.