Boeing invests in SIIT training program

SASKATOON – The Boeing Company announced additional investment Tuesday for the Saskatchewan Aviation Learning Center (SALC) in Saskatoon.

SALC houses the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) aircraft maintenance engineering program at the Saskatoon airport.

The investment will go towards increasing enrollment and purchasing equipment for more hands-on training.

SIIT says Canada has a growing aviation labor market and demand is increasing for people certified in aircraft maintenance.

“It’s investments like this that enable SIIT to build, to grow in response to the needs of industry in the labour market,” said SIIT President Riel Bellegarde.

“It will allow us to work with our federal and provincial partners, to help us to achieve our goals, to enhance the experience of our students and help them achieve their aspirations.”

The post-secondary institute for aboriginal students has campuses and learning centres across the province. Nearly half of all SIIT programming is for trades and industrial training.

Boeing was an initial contributor when SALC opened in 2010 in partnership with SIIT, the federal and provincial governments and the Saskatoon Airport Authority.

“Our decision to make a second investment in the SALC reinforces our commitment to the Canadian aerospace industry and our support of effective development programs,” said Gwen Kopsie, VP of International Strategic Partnerships for Boeing Defense, Space & Security.

Boeing is a world-leading aerospace company and the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft combined.