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Business
Education
November 3, 2010
New Partnership Between College of the North
Atlantic and
Lufthansa Technical Training Strengthens Local Aerospace
and Defence Industry
The Provincial Government's ability to attract
aviation-related investment to the province received a major boost today
with the announcement of a training partnership between College of the
North Atlantic (CNA) and Lufthansa Technical Training.
The partnership and resulting training
program will serve a select niche in the aerospace and defence industry
and will enable students enrolled in the Aircraft Maintenance
Engineering Technician program to obtain European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) certification, in addition to the Transport Canada certification
currently being offered by CNA.
The Provincial Government is investing $2.5
million in the initiative from the Aerospace and Defence Development
Fund, with additional funding provided by Bombardier Aerospace.
The Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of
Business, and the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education, were
joined at the official announcement in Gander by the Honourable Kevin
O�Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs and MHA for Gander, Bruce Hollett,
President of CNA, Mayor Claude Elliott of Gander, as well as
representatives of Lufthansa Technical Training and Bombardier
Aerospace.
"The Provincial Government is extremely
pleased with this partnership between Lufthansa Technical Training and
the Gander campus of College of the North Atlantic," said Minister
Wiseman. "Having highly skilled people with dual certification enhances
our capabilities and increases opportunities for attracting new aviation
related investment to the province."
Students registered in the Aircraft
Maintenance Engineering Technician program at CNA will have the option
of completing EASA curriculum that will be developed with the assistance
and support of Lufthansa Technical Training. The courses will be
administered by local instructors at the Gander campus and once
completed, graduates will be EASA certified. CNA will own the EASA
accreditation program once it is implemented.
"Our government is committed to supporting
opportunities for our public college to offer programs that are
responsive to industry needs," said Minister King. "Having this option
as part of the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Technician program is
good news for the college and for the province as we are fulfilling a
select niche in Canada for this program. This program will help the
college attract students who wish to obtain certification that presents
a greater range of job opportunities."
Lufthansa Technical Training is a world leader
in providing basic and advanced training for employees and management
working in maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), and the broader
aerospace industry. It offers basic technical training, type-specific
advanced training, non-specialised technical and non-technical advanced
training to a worldwide customer base of more than 260 clients. The
company has over 50 years of experience and is certified not only by
EASA, but also numerous other international aviation authorities. The
experience comes from working with one of the world's most successful
airlines, Lufthansa, whose fleet is maintained by qualified engineers,
mechanics and management staff who are trained by Lufthansa Technical
Training.
"We are delighted to collaborate with the
renowned College of the North Atlantic in this initiative, particularly
in the Town of Gander, a community with a long and proud aviation
heritage," said Christoph Meyerrose, CEO of Lufthansa Technical
Training. "This partnership will be a milestone in our strategy to serve
the North American training market with innovative qualification
products, and in particular to expand the qualification system for
students in Atlantic Canada and beyond. We are convinced that with the
envisaged program, College of the North Atlantic will perfectly serve
the current and future demand of the aerospace industry."
Bombardier Aerospace is also contributing to
the initiative. With more than 29,000 employees, the company is the
third largest civil aircraft manufacturer in the world and a leader in
commercial and military training.
"Bombardier Aerospace is proud to contribute
to Newfoundland and Labrador's educational institutions and to support
operations and initiatives related to the Aerospace and Defence
Industry," said Michel Bourgeois, President, Specialized and Amphibious
Aircraft and Military Aviation Training, Bombardier Aerospace.
"This investment will strengthen training and
certification opportunities for individuals interested in the Aircraft
Maintenance Engineering Technician program at the college," said the
Honourable Kevin O'Brien, MHA for Gander. "The expanded program will
attract new business for Gander, and represents a positive investment
for the region and province."
"We are excited about what this partnership
will provide to our students," said Bruce Hollett, President of CNA.
"This training program will be the first of its kind by ensuring
graduates have both Transport Canada and EASA certification. As a result
of this initiative our graduates will be even better prepared for
employment in the aerospace and defence sector."
"Working with a world-renowned organization
like Lufthansa Technical Training will only enhance the profile of our
aircraft maintenance capabilities to a global market," said Minister
Wiseman. "Our government is committed to ensuring that our workforce has
the best training and skills possible which in turn will help the
Newfoundland and Labrador aerospace and defence industry grow and
prosper."
The Aerospace and Defence Development Fund is
designed to support companies involved in aerospace and defence related
activities in Newfoundland and Labrador to expand capacity, enhance
their competitiveness, and avail of new business opportunities.
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Media contacts
2010 11 03
12:40 p.m.
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