The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) will offer a new Gas Turbine Technician certificate with support from Lufthansa Technik Canada's (LTCA) Fuel the Future initiative. Through a collaborative approach to diversifying Alberta's skilled workforce, the two organizations are transforming the journey from education to employment.
As SAIT launches a new opportunity for hands-on training, LTCA is opening new doors for students passionate about aviation, yet facing financial barriers.
Set to launch May 2026, the new certificate program will prepare graduates with the technical skills and regulatory awareness needed to meet increasing demand for gas turbine expertise. Elevating the program through its Fuel the Future initiative, LTCA will offer at least 10 students in each 32-student cohort an unprecedented sponsorship opportunity.
"Built as a direct response to industry needs for specialists in this field, this certificate is another indicator of the value of applied education," says Dr. David Ross, President and CEO, SAIT. "By offering practical, hands-on education, we're addressing the need for a higher education credential achieved through enhanced training and aligned with emerging industry trends."
As Alberta's first post-secondary institution to offer a program of this kind, SAIT will be uniquely positioned to meet the needs of a growing aviation sector across Calgary, Alberta and western Canada, and create a skilled talent pipeline.
Students entering the program through Fuel the Future will receive financial support to cover tuition costs and tools, a salary during their studies and be guaranteed job placement with LTCA following completion of the program ensuring equitable access to training in aviation maintenance.
"Fuel the Future is about opening doors to possibilities. For those students selected, there are no program costs everything is covered," says Max Schramm, President and CEO of Lufthansa Technik Canada. "At LTCA, creating opportunity is at the heart of this first-of-its-kind initiative for the Alberta aviation industry that removes barriers, so every student has the chance to build a lasting career. Our partnership with SAIT also reflects our wider commitment to Calgary, to Alberta and to Canada's leadership in global aviation. We're creating pathways for generational jobs that strengthen families, communities, and the future of the sector."
Developed in collaboration with the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) as an adaption of their successful industry-aligned program, the new certificate program is modified to reflect the credential framework and institutional strength and expertise held by SAIT's School of Transportation.
"Gas turbines are a crucial component in both aviation and industrial energy production sectors, powering everything from commercial airplanes to power plants and natural gas facilities," says Lynda Holden, Dean, School of Transportation and School of Manufacturing and Automation, SAIT. "An aging workforce and fewer younger workers entering the skilled trades means the gap between available talent and industry demand is widening. SAIT is ready to train skilled technicians to maintain and repair these sophisticated engines."
From positions with aerospace maintenance organizations and gas turbine repair facilities to jobs in the energy sector with companies utilizing industrial gas turbines, the new program's curriculum will prepare learners for employment in across sectors where gas turbines are integral to operations.
