'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
Blaine Higgs 'furious' over sexual education presentation
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has shared his anger on social media over a presentation in at least four high schools.
Driver, 18, gets $3,000 ticket, 32 demerit points after speeding on Laval boulevard
A young driver received a hefty fine from Laval police after they say he was driving nearly 100 km/h over the posted speed limit.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
Grayson Murray, two-time PGA Tour winner, dead at 30
Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial.
Man throws flaming liquid on New York City subway, burns fellow rider
A man set a cup of liquid on fire and tossed it at fellow subway rider in New York City, setting the victim's shirt ablaze and injuring him.
At least 9 dead in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after severe weather roars across region
Powerful storms killed at least nine people and left a wide trail of destruction Sunday across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after obliterating homes and destroying a truck stop where drivers took shelter during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S.
As Canada warms, infectious disease risks spread north
Cases of Lyme disease have now increased more than 1,000 per cent in a decade as the warming climate pushes the boundaries of a range of pathogens and risk factors northward.
12 people injured after Qatar Airways plane hits turbulence on way to Dublin
Twelve people were injured when a Qatar Airways plane flying from Doha to Dublin on Sunday hit turbulence, airport authorities said.