$4.5 Million To Expand Aerospace Training Program

Filomena Tassi, Minister of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, visited the First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI), an Indigenous-owned and governed educational institution that counts a pilot training program among its offerings.

While she was touring the facility and meeting with students, Minister Tassi announced that the government was providing the Institute an investment of $4.5 million to assist the FNTI in expanding the aerospace training programs and to acquire new specialized equipment to enhance the environment and create new opportunities for Indigenous communities in that field.

The funding will enable the aviation program options to be expanded by establishing a new helicopter training program. The program will give students the opportunity to train with expert instructors on advanced equipment. They will earn a helicopter pilot certificate with a focus on providing service for the distinct needs of Indigenous communities in remote locations. The fous on students and the tailored training program will place FNTI graduate pilots in a position to make immediate impacts on their communities after graduation.

Minister Tassi commented, “The First Nations Technical Institute is creating new opportunities for Indigenous youth while helping to fill critical gaps in the aerospace and aviation ecosystem by supporting the development of a helicopter training program, focused on servicing the unique needs of remote Indigenous communities. Today’s support is an investment not only in the future of our aerospace and aviation industry, but is also helping to empower Indigenous youth to build meaningful and impactful future careers in this growing sector.”

FMI:  www.canada.ca/