Lucrative aircraft careers taking off in the Okanagan

Okanagan College Media Release

Okanagan College is gearing up to help students launch themselves into the dynamic aerospace industry.

On Nov. 24, the Aerospace campus at the Vernon Airport opens its hangers for a free information event about the College’s successful Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Program.

“Our students are now working all over Western Canada,” said Dale Keegstra, lead instructor and Chair of the Aerospace Department.

The College launched the program in 2003 as a combined partnership with one of the province’s premier aircraft maintenance training programs -- Northern Lights College in Dawson Creek.

Students take their first 12 months in Vernon, and then finish up with their last three months in Dawson Creek where they get hands-on experience working with everything from helicopters to Turbo props.

Since 2003, 126 students have gone through the program and they’ve come from all kinds of background.

“Maybe they’ve gone to an air show and become an aviation buff. They want to stay with it, but they don’t want to be the engineers who are designing the aircraft, or serve the public, and that’s when they discover the maintenance aspect.”

Keegstra noted that while an interest in mechanics is certainly key, students devoted to high standards, attention to detail and those who are passionate about aviation tend to excel.

Employment opportunities within the industry are on the rise, with the average annual wage in B.C. sitting at $58,571, and opportunities to earn up to $100,000.

Corey Nygren has his fingers crossed he’ll nab one of those jobs in a few months time. The Kelowna student, who worked as a glazier for 14-years before returning to school, is wrapping up his last two months in Dawson Creek.

“I love it, it’s just great. I always wanted to be a mechanic,” said Nygren, who just finished class where he patched a de-icer boot on the wing of a Turbo Commander.

Nygren was diagnosed with dyslexia in his early teens, so he wasn’t so sure about the book work. But College instructors helped him out and before long he was sailing through.

“I just hadn’t been reading for a while, but once I started up again it was second nature to me and now it’s no big deal, but it was quite a change.”

Keegstra is thrilled the program was such a good fit.

“It was interesting to see him come in not being sure if this was something he could do, and he was at risk because of a lack of confidence. But by the time he left, he was big time ready for the industry. He has really good hand skills, great interest, and a great work ethic.”

The program covers all apprenticeship technical training required for the AME-M license. The info night runs at 5 and 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24 when tours, information and registration forms will be available for the next program intake on Jan. 31, 2011.

The Okanagan College Vernon Aerospace Campus is located at 6225 Okanagan Landing Road in Vernon.

For more information, contact program administrator Rob Kjarsgaard at 250-503-2670 or by email at [email protected].