Portage College in northeastern Alberta is one of only 21 post-secondary institutions across Canada offering a Transport Canada-approved aircraft maintenance programming. The Aircraft Structures Technician program at Portage is also one of just two aerospace programs with Transport Canada approval being offered in Alberta.
The unique status means that graduates of the new program -- offered at the Portage College's "Aerospace Campus" in Cold Lake -- will be provided with a completion certificate and a Transport Canada approval number. That Transport Canada number serves as partial credit for students moving towards their Aircraft Maintenance Engineer license, allowing them to bypass the required Transport Canada technical examinations as they continue their learning journey.
The Aircraft Structures Technician program is a 10-month, in-person course providing students with comprehensive training in the construction, repair, and maintenance of aircraft structures, including sheet metal, composites, and fabric materials. The program was designed in collaboration with the College, CFB Cold Lake, and the City of Cold Lake.
"Having the endorsement of Transport Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces really highlights the quality of this program for our students, the region, and the aerospace industry in Canada and beyond," says Portage College's Dean of Trades John Melo. "We are looking forward to seeing his program take-off and lead more learners to quality education opportunities in rural Alberta."
One of the most recent additions to the Portage College inventory of programs, the Aircraft Structures Technician program at Portage College begins on August 31.
The deadline for students to apply for the program is August 15.
