Ottawa, Canada, 01 June 2023. CAE announced a $160,000 donation to the First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI) located on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, near Kingston, Ontario. This contribution will support pilot training and enhance the skillsets of students.
“CAE is delighted to partner with the only Indigenous post-secondary flight school of its kind in Canada to help further diversity in the aviation industry. We hope this step will be the first of many in building a long-term relationship with FNTI as part of CAE’s commitment to invest in skills development & training initiatives for Indigenous Peoples,” said CAE’s CEO and President Marc Parent.
CAE’s donation will allow FNTI to grow their training programs and equip the next generation of Indigenous aviation professionals with unparalleled learning opportunities. As a result of this investment, FNTI plans on acquiring Garmin G1000 training suites and training aids.
“Our government knows that creating meaningful opportunities for Indigenous students is key to building a more inclusive and more just society,” said the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. “Through Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy, this investment from CAE will provide Indigenous students with financial support to access the training they need to pursue exciting career opportunities in the aerospace sector. This will benefit Canada as a whole by making the most of young talents who will be the innovators of tomorrow.”
“The loss of our hangar, Approved Maintenance Organization, dispatch and planes in a fire in February 2022 was devastating for FNTI and our aviation students, who come from urban and remote communities across Canada,” said Suzanne Brant, president of FNTI. “We are fortunate to have resilient staff who pivoted to provide students with training options, ensuring minimal program interruption. This generous contribution from CAE will provide upgraded technology and training needs for FNTI students as we continue to rebuild our infrastructure. FNTI is grateful for the support we have received from CAE and we look forward to continued relationship-building with CAE.”
This is CAE’s latest initiative to elevate diversity in the aerospace industry. With 260,000 new pilots needed over the next 10 years, it is imperative to attract more pilots from diverse backgrounds. In 2022, CAE expanded its CAE Women in Flight program by partnering with Air Canada to double the number of 2023 Captain Judy Cameron Scholarships granted to young Canadian women studying to become commercial pilots or maintenance engineers. CAE’s Women in Flight scholarship program is creating momentum to encourage young women to pursue a career as a commercial pilot.
