First Nations see benefits in Aviation Learning Centre

A grand opening on Nov. 5 celebrated the creation of a new 25,000 square foot facility by the Saskatoon airport that houses aircraft programs for the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) and Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Sciences and Technologies (SIAST).
“We feel we are standing in a new building that offers a promise for many young people in Saskatchewan,” said SIIT President and CEO Randell Morris. “We’re also standing in a building that has involved vision, intense planning, exceptional engineering and architectural execution, (and) recruitment of new exceptional instructors,” he added.

The new facility—which serves SIIT’s Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Program and the SIAST Commercial Pilot Program—became a reality after SIIT secured investments from aerospace and defense companies Boeing, Rockwell Collins, and Lockheed Martin under Canada’s Industrial and Regional Benefits policy.
“It’s quite a thing to have a vision and a dream, it’s quite another thing to act on it and in fact you have,” said Saskatoon Mayor Don Atchinson. “And the part that I’m so excited about is having involved the Aboriginal community along with the business community, the different levels of government.”

Honourable Rob Norris, Minister of Advanced Education, Employment, and Immigration said the government anticipates between 75,000 and 90,000 jobs opening up in the next 5-7 years across the province and is working to ensure that Canadians have access to training programs such as those offered at the facility.

MP for Desneth-Missinipi-Churchhill River Rob Clarke, who attended on behalf of Western Economic Diversification, said the federal government is proud to invest $1.6 million to the project.

“These students will find their skills in high demand once they complete this valuable training,” said Clarke. “A priority of our government is to ensure Canada is a competitive marketplace. Being competitive in a modern economy means having the skills and training to adapt to a changing global market.… We’re also working to ensure that First Nations have access to the same educational opportunities as all Canadians.”

Boeing Company representative Gwen Kopsie was on hand to remark on the aerospace company’s investment into the facility.

“Boeing continues to build on its 90-year partnership with Canada through Industrial and Regional Benefits programs that benefit Canadian workers, Canadian industry, as well as Universities and Post-Secondary Institutions such as SIIT,” stated Kopsie, who is the Director of International Strategic Partnerships for Boeing Defense, Space and Security.

Not unlike Rockwell Collins and Lockheed Martin, Boeing’s funding injection to the new building partially fulfills an obligation to support local industry in their contracts with the Government of Canada.

The Saskatchewan Aviation Learning Centre is located on Koyl Avenue and is a joint effort of SIIT, the Government of Canada, the Province of Saskatchewan, and the Saskatoon Airport Authority.

Photo Caption: Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) President and CEO Randell Morris addresses the crowd that gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the Saskatchewan Aviation Learning Centre in Saskatoon on Nov. 5.