New UCFV Aircraft training takes off with launch of Aerospace Training Centre

 Trades training at UCFV is really taking off this fall. The university college's Trades and Technology department has added a new Aircraft Structural Repair certificate program.

B.C. Minister of Advanced Education Shirley Bond will visit the site of the new program for a special launch ceremony on Monday, November 26, at 12:15 p.m. The program is based at UCFV's new Aerospace Training Centre, in Hangar 2 at the Abbotsford Airport (1404 Tower St.). The public is invited to attend the launch ceremony.

Demand is expected be high for graduates. One large Abbotsford-based employer (and UCFV's primary partner in the training program), Cascade Aerospace, is looking to hire hundreds of new employees, including structural technicians and apprentices, as it significantly expands its aircraft maintenance business. It is anticipated that the growth of this company and other aerospace-related enterprises in will create spinoff demand in Abbotsford as other companies locate near a skilled labour force.

UCFV already offers an aviation diploma and a business administration degree with an aviation focus.

The 15-month Aircraft Structural Repair program will give students a thorough introduction to the aircraft repair and maintenance trade. They will alternate training with paid work experience for the duration of the program. Two classes will be running concurrently, so that when one is in training the other will be on work experience.

After completing the certificate program, graduates will be qualified to start careers as structures apprentices and eventually become structures technicians.