'A huge need right now': MRU hoping new aviation degree helps meet industry demand
Mount Royal University (MRU) is hopeful its new four-year aviation management degree can help fill a need in the industry.
“The aviation industry is really dying for pilots, for trained professionals who can talk about aviation who can be involved in aviation. There's a huge need right now,” Mark Benson, an assistant professor in the faculty of business, communication and aviation at MRU, said.
The school hosted an Aviation Day event at its Springbank campus on Saturday, offering a panel, information sessions and networking opportunities for those interested in starting a career in aviation.
“Today we have industry professionals, some of our students, some of our faculty members, some of our instructors, and a lot of prospective students here, just to talk about the future of aviation training in Alberta (and the) future of aviation training at Mount Royal University,”
The school is launching the new four-year program in the fall, expanding on an existing two-year diploma program that focuses on flight training.
“We recognize that being a pilot is incredibly important. And there are a lot of opportunities out there right now for pilots. But being a pilot also means you have to have a lot of other skills,” Kelly Williams-Whit, the dean of the faculty of business and communication studies and aviation at MRU, said.
“Building on some of those skills, we're creating opportunities for people to move into other aspects of the industry.”
The event was MRU’s first aviation day. You can visit MRU’s website for more information about its aviation programs.
With files from CTV News Calgary's Tyler Barrow
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Group tied to Islamic State plotted fatal Ontario restaurant shooting: Crown
A gunman who is accused of killing a young Ontario man and shooting four of his family members at their small Mississauga restaurant in 2021 was allegedly part of a trio who had pledged allegiance to the listed terrorist group Islamic State, a Crown attorney said in an opening statement in the Brampton murder trial this week.
Board orders deportation for trucker in horrific Humboldt Broncos crash
The truck driver who caused the horrific bus crash involving the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team has been ordered to be deported.
'We recognize there's more to do': Trudeau responds to U.S. senators' defence spending letter
Stopping short of offering the assurance U.S. senators are seeking, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government is aware there's more work to do in order to see Canada meet NATO's defence spending target.
Italian teenage computer wizard set to become the first saint of the millennial generation
Pope Francis paved the way for the canonization of the first saint of the millennial generation on Thursday, attributing a second miracle to a 15-year-old Italian computer whiz who died of leukemia in 2006.
Top Russian military officials are being arrested. Why is it happening?
It began last month with the arrest of a Russian deputy defense minister. Then the head of the ministry’s personnel directorate was hauled into court. This week, two more senior military officials were detained. All face charges of corruption, which they have denied.
'A really bad car crash': Why health experts are raising concerns over surging syphilis cases
A sexually transmitted infection (STI) that was once thought to be a thing of the past is now a public health priority for North American doctors.
Morgan Spurlock, Oscar-nominated director of 'Super Size Me,' dies at 53
Documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, an Oscar-nominee who made food and American diets his life's work, famously eating only at McDonald's for a month to illustrate the dangers of a fast-food diet, has died. He was 53.
Milk sold in Canadian grocery stores tested for avian influenza; results released
As avian flu spreads south of the border, Canadian officials are now testing samples of milk sold in grocery stores across the country.
Leaving time on the table: Surveys show unused paid vacation, 'quiet vacationing'
'Quiet vacationing' is the latest new term to describe the rough edges of office culture, and survey data shows it's widespread among North American workers.