GANDER, NL – College of the North Atlantic (CNA) and Bombardier have landed on yet another opportunity to celebrate a growing partnership that supports the college’s aviation programs and, in return, the industry will see much needed career-ready and highly skilled graduates.
Carol O’maroro, Aircraft Structural Repair student at Gander campus, was MC for the celebration of CNA and Bombardier partnership that sees the donation of aircraft, fuselage and parts as support for the aviation programs at the college.
Bombardier representatives were in Newfoundland and Labrador this week to meet with provincial government departments in St. John’s and visit Gander campus to see firsthand CNA’s aviation programs, meet with students, and hear how their substantial donations of equipment and parts have supported innovative training.
The Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology says, “By expanding the college’s fleet of training resources, we are bringing students closer to a real-world work environment in the aviation industry. This aircraft equipment from Bombardier will improve training experience and skills development for students, better preparing them to have a positive impact working with businesses and other stakeholders in the aviation industry.”
Alejandro Montalvo, Supply Chain Specialist, Bombardier; Marc-André Sansregret, Senior Legal Counsel; and Sandra Buckler, Senior Director, External Affairs and Public Relations, Govt. Affairs; spoke with CNA President & CEO Liz Kidd and Fergus O’Brien, AVP Campus Operations.
Headquartered in Greater Montreal, Bombardier is a world leader in the aviation industry as a manufacturer of business jets. It has a worldwide fleet of approximately 5,000 aircraft in service with a wide variety of multinational corporations, charter and fractional ownership providers, governments, and private individuals. With over 11,000 employees in Canada, the company relies on first-class skilled employees in various sectors, including aviation technicians.
“Once again, Bombardier has helped CNA to not only bring our training to new heights; they have also ensured the serviceability of the Learjet now in our hangars for many years to come,” said Liz Kidd, CNA President & CEO. “The training our students are now exposed to as a result of Bombardier’s responsiveness to the college’s needs means they are getting the much-needed experience requirement that industry demands from today’s graduates. We know it’s made a huge difference and we can’t thank this aviation leader enough.”
Alejandro Montalvo, Supply Chain Specialist, Bombardier, got a firsthand look at the Learjet 45-001 that the company generously donated to CNA to support its aviation programs.
CNA’s aviation programs include Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Technician (AMET), Aircraft Structural Repair Technician, and AMET Advanced Diploma (EASA – European Aviation Safety Agency). Approximately 80 students overall are enrolled in these programs each year and the employment rate for graduates is high because they are in heavy demand. It is a known fact that there is a shortage of aircraft-related technicians, which makes these programs vital to the industry’s future.
Bombardier’s generosity has been evident several times to date, including the donation of the
Learjet 45-001 flight test vehicle in 2021, and most recently, a fuselage section and a substantial amount of aircraft parts to allow the future leaders of the aviation industry to test their knowledge and get a firsthand experience.
Marc-André Sansregret, Senior Legal Counsel; and Sandra Buckler, Senior Director, External Affairs and Public Relations, Govt. Affairs has the opportunity to meet with CNA staff and students, as well as stakeholders.
“Bombardier is a Canadian success story made possible by the talent and drive present in our country, as well as the incredible teaching institutions such as College of North Atlantic.” Said Eric Filion, Executive Vice-President, Programs & Supply Chains at Bombardier. “We are pleased to continue working closely with the CNA to support the education of the next generation of aerospace specialists and leaders.”
For more information about programs at CNA, visit:
www.cna.nl.ca
To learn more about Bombardier, visit:
www.bombardier.com
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Media contacts:
Michelle Barry
Communications Manager
College of the North Atlantic
709-643-7721
Michelle.barry@cna.nl.ca
Arevig Afarian
Communications Advisor, Public Relations
Bombardier
Arevig.Afarian@aero.bombardier.com
Tansy Mundon
Director of Communications
Department of Industry, Energy and Technology
709-729-5282
TansyMundon@gov.nl.ca