New aerospace training facility coming to Calgary

Calgary will soon be home to a new aviation training facility, supported with funding from the provincial government.

The Calgary International Airport will soon be home to a new training hub.

The provincial government, WestJet and airline training company CAE made the announcement of the new 126,000-square-foot facility in Calgary on Wednesday morning.

The training centre, which will officially be called the Alberta Training Centre of Excellence for Aviation and Aerospace, is being built with an $11-million grant from the provincial government.

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“The Training Centre of Excellence is about more than supporting one project. It is about securing Alberta’s place as a leader in aviation for decades to come. From training pilots to advancing aerospace technology, Alberta is stepping up to ensure our province is not only keeping pace with global demand but setting the standard for excellence,” Smith said in a news release.

When complete, the facility with train more than 6,000 aviation professionals each year.

Officials say it will leverage more than $400 million in investment in the aviation and aerospace industry over the next 15 years.

The chief customer of the new facility will be WestJet, building on the partnership the company signed with the provincial government.

“WestJet’s commitment to being the first commercial airline customer at the Alberta Training Centre of Excellence is a testament to our investment in our current and future WestJetters and in Calgary as an aviation hub,” said WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech.

“This 15-year contract is a significant commitment that will ensure our people receive the highest standard of training for years to come.”

The training programs at the facility. namely an airline transition program and an instructor development program, will be developed with support from Calgary’s Mount Royal University.

The province says the aviation and aerospace sector supports more than 19,000 jobs in Alberta and contributes more than $1.8 billion to the GDP.