Last month, Air Canada participated in the Aviation Career Exploration (ACE) week with Elevate Aviation in Edmonton, Alberta.
“The Aviation Career Exploration program is designed and built to introduce people to careers in aviation by giving them a hands-on immersive experience about various careers in aviation,” said Christine Merrick, director of Elevate Aviation Learning Centre.
As part of the Women Employment Skills training program, Berlyn Siscar and Carina Dung, Air Canada AMEs based in our Vancouver hub, introduced 17 women from diverse backgrounds in the Edmonton area to the aircraft Maintenance engineer (AME) profession.
“Everybody knows what a pilot is, what a flight attendant is, but not everybody knows what an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer does and not everybody knows what a de-icing technician does, so our goal is to expand that reach and education about these careers,” added Merrick.
Elevate organizes field trips for students from grade 6 to grade 12, hoping to ignite a passion for aviation.
Air Canada began its partnership with Elevate Aviation in 2023.
“The Air Canada partnership is very important to us. We would not be able to do this without the support of our partners in aviation. Not only the monetary support but also having professionals in the industry taking the time to come here and talk to our students, like during the ACE week. We are very grateful for that, and it does make a difference in these women’s lives,” said Merrick.
Air Canada said supporting this event is part of its mission to inspire the next generation of women to pursue a career in aviation, promote non-traditional jobs, break stereotypes and support women in achieving their aviation goals.
“We have the same goal in common: promote the aviation industry to women. Therefore, it felt very natural to partner with Elevate Aviation,” said Chantal Dugas, GM of DEI community relations and partnerships for Air Canada. “Hearing about their experience and excitement makes us very proud.”
