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Chicoutimi College, Cégep de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Quebec’s Centre québécois de formation aéronautique (CQFA) are partnering to provide a pilot training program that will better meet current educational needs while addressing the difficulties of recruiting pilots in Abitibi-Témiscamingue and in the province’s Far North.
Leaders from the three organizations met recently in Chicoutimi, Que., where they agreed to work together to develop a new Aircraft Pilot Training diploma program.
“We are confident that these discussions will help develop a new partnership and contribute to meeting the specific needs of the community,” explained André Gobeil, director general of Chicoutimi College.
Concerned about the low number of Aboriginal people involved in aviation in Quebec as well as their difficulties in recruiting pilots, Air Creebec, Propair, Air Inuit and PAL Airlines approached Cégep de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue about offering a bilingual Aircraft Pilot Training diploma program based at the Val-d’Or campus.
“We always want to give priority training to Aboriginal students in Quebec. Our college has extensive expertise in teaching Aboriginal students . . . The Cégep de Chicoutimi, the CQFA, and regional and Quebec air carriers also recognize this strength,” added the director general of Cégep de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Sylvain Blais.
A flight training school with a reputation second to none in Canada, CQFA is the only institution offering three fields of pilot specialization: multi-engine instrument (airline pilot); seaplane (bush pilot); and helicopter. Recognized by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the CQFA has been training pilots for 50 years.
“We are confident that the discussions initiated will help develop a new partnership and contribute to meeting the specific needs of the community,” explains André Gobeil, director general of Chicoutimi College.
Added CQFA director, Steeve Noreau: “Workforce diversity has always been at the heart of our concerns, which is why we are very enthusiastic about the idea of working with our partners to support youth in the community and help them access the field.”
