A new twist in Georgian College’s aviation program should make it easier for graduating students to find jobs in the field of flight.
Jazz Aviation announced a partnership with Georgian’s flight services program during a news conference at the Barrie campus on Friday.
The Halifax-based airline company will provide a direct career path to flight-attendant positions for qualified candidates.
Jazz Aviation's Rhonda Bishop says she believes the program is beneficial to both sides and gives the students a promising future.
“This is a great opportunity for Jazz to reach out to the youth and our industry’s future employees,” she said. “It also allows Georgian to have some connection with the aviation industry and recruit students to the school by offering a direct route to a career.”
The Jazz Aviation Pathways for flight attendants is a one-year program and will see students who meet eligibility requirements get the chance to be interviewed at the airline company.
Jazz operates approximately 670 daily flights across North America through Air Canada under the Air Canada Express brand.
Georgian flight services co-ordinator Alyson Swarbrick said it's important for the college to help link students with jobs.
“From a college perspective, what we’re always looking for is to not only teach, train and inspire, but also to find our students jobs when they are done their studies,” Swarbrick said.
“This announcement is profound in that it provides a step-by-step instruction on how to achieve that desired career," she added.
Jeffrey Brown, who is one of 29 students in the college’s aviation program, said it's “very encouraging to see opportunities arising a lot quicker than any of us expected when we signed up here.
“It is going to be an exciting year for all of us and knowing there is a light at the end of the tunnel is even better," he added. "All the long hours and hard work can realistically pay of and that is so fantastic.”
