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The Government of Canada is supporting the development of well-trained, skilled personnel to serve the aerospace industry of the future by donating surplus Coast Guard assets to colleges and universities across Canada. These donations are helping to support aircraft maintenance training in Canada, providing practical and hands-on experience to students.
On behalf of the Hon. Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament for Nipissing-Timiskaming, announced on May 23 that Canadore College has received a Coast Guard Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm BO105 helicopter. Nine other educational training institutions located across Canada have also received a donated BO105 helicopter.
The 10 Coast Guard BO105 helicopters were in service in the Canadian Coast Guard for more than 30 years. The first BO105 helicopter was purchased by Coast Guard in April 1985, and the last unit was purchased in April, 1988. The helicopter fleet plays an essential part in supporting programs such as icebreaking, marine communication, aids to navigation, environmental response, waterway protection, conservation and protection, science and support to other government departments as required.
As part of the Coast Guard’s Fleet Renewal Plan, the Government of Canada has purchased and deployed 22 new helicopters-15 light-lift helicopters (Bell 429) and seven medium-lift helicopters (Bell 412EPI).
“I am proud that these Coast Guard helicopters will help develop students across the country, allowing them to have practical and hands-on experience. These assets have a lot of history and are part of the Coast Guard’s heritage. I am glad that they will benefit the generations to come in building high-level aircraft maintenance expertise,” said Wilkinson.
“Students from Canadore College will benefit from the Government of Canada’s donation. There is nothing like being able to provide students with the opportunity and tools they need to further advance their skills and prepare them for the kinds of real life projects they will face after graduation,” said Rota.
“Canadore College aims to produce graduates who are not only skilled and knowledgeable but are ready for direct employability. We reach this goal by providing highly practical and hands-on learning opportunities, and that would be impossible without the gracious donations of our partners. The BO105 exposes our students to a more diversified fleet of aircraft and provides insight into the services provided by the Canadian Coast Guard. When governmental entities join hands to achieve a key goal of producing skilled graduates to serve our community, particularly in a safety-sensitive industry, we can say that one mission is accomplished,” said Ahmed Obaide, associate dean of Aviation Technology, Canadore College.
