Becomes The Twelfth Organization To Participate In 'Jazz APP'

Jazz Aviation LP has signed an agreement with Thunder Bay, Ontario-based Bearskin Lake Air Service LP ("Bearskin") for the carrier to become the twelfth organization in the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program ("Jazz APP").

"Our Jazz APP program was introduced 10 years ago, in 2007, and now a decade later our commitment to developing a solid career path for pilots in Canada has never been stronger," said Steve Linthwaite, Vice President, Flight Operations, Jazz. "We're very pleased to welcome Bearskin to the Jazz APP and acknowledge the calibre of pilots at their organization."

There are two pillars of this agreement:

First, Jazz will refer to Bearskin, high quality graduates who have progressed through the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program at our affiliated aviation colleges and universities. Those graduates would have the opportunity to transition to first officer positions at Bearskin.

Second, the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program will provide a direct career path opportunity for qualifying Bearskin pilots to transition to first officer positions at Jazz. The career pathway could then continue for those Bearskin pilots interested in future opportunities to fly for Air Canada through Jazz's preferential interview process (Pilot Mobility Arrangement) with the mainline carrier.

Through agreements with eight colleges and universities, and four industry organizations including Bearskin, the Jazz APP program provides yet another pilot career pathway for aviation graduates with this latest agreement.

"We are very pleased to join Jazz in this landmark program," said Brad Martin, President, Bearskin Airlines. "The benefits to our company are immediately recognizable, providing Bearskin with qualified new entrant pilots along with an offer of career pathing for our existing pilots."

Jazz and Bearskin recognize and appreciate the involvement, proactive approach and commitment of ALPA – especially both Master Executive Councils – regarding discussions on ALPA seniority and provisions affecting both the Jazz and Bearskin flight teams.

Since 2007 Jazz has been actively involved in shaping the curriculum and training of Canada's future professional pilots through active engagement with aviation college and universities. In 2015, Jazz rebranded these efforts under the Jazz Aviation Pathway Program banner. 

To date, Jazz has announced agreements between the Jazz APP and the following institutions and organizations:

Education Institutions: Algonquin College, Centre québécois de formation aéronautique at Cégep de Chicoutimi, Confederation College, Mount Royal University, Okanagan College, Sault College, Seneca College, and Western University.

(Source: Jazz news release. Image from file)

FMI: www.flyjazz.ca/pathwaysprogram