Canadian North partners with University of Calgary to offer jobs to aviation graduates

Canadian Northern and Mount Royal Universities are teaming up to offer conditional job offers upon graduation to all students accepted into the university's aviation program.

Canadian North CEO Michael Rodyniuk made the announcement Thursday in Calgary.

“When you're accepted into the Mount Royal program, you get a conditional letter of employment in Northern Canada,” he said.. “You have to finish. You must pass. You will then be welcomed aboard Canada. North”.

The partnership comes amid a nationwide pilot shortage. According to Rodyniuk, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused pilots to leave the industry, and physical distancing restrictions have led to a decline in graduating pilots.

Before COVID, it said it was licensing about 1,500 new pilots each year, which has since dropped to about 100 new pilots a year — not enough to keep up with growing demand.

Michael Rodyniuk, CEO of Canada North, speaks to aviation students at Mount Royal on Thursday. (Taylor Holmes/CBC)

“You have a vacancy, a lot of pilots are gone. We didn't have enough training (during COVID), so we don't have that kind of filling, and we have new rules that say we have to have 30 per cent more pilots,” Rodyniuk said.

Add to that the unique challenges of flying in the north – short runways, tight landings, and conventional compasses don't work as well north of 60 – and you need skilled pilots in the north.

In the program, students will receive mentoring and training with Northern Canada, and the airline will help develop a curriculum to equip Mount Royal graduates with the skills necessary to become “Arctic Aviators.”

Financial aid is also provided to students entering the program.

The goal is not only to fill cabin vacancies, but to provide educational and employment opportunities for Inuit students so they can pursue careers and make a difference in their communities.

“The opportunity to work in your home community, once (graduates) come back, is unheard of,” said Jason Kilabuk, director of employment and talent strategies for Inuit of Northern Canada.