It’s only been a week since the announcement of the new programs coming to the Norton Wolf School of Aviation. These new programs will transform Fanshawe into an aerospace hub within London. Four new programs are expected to start in the upcoming fa
ll, and with the pre-existing four programs, Fanshawe will be one of the largest aviation training programs within Canada.
These new programs are expected to cover all aspects of aviation training, from flight services to aircraft management to structural programming. This is expected to bring in an influx of students to Fanshawe.
Larry Weir, the Associate Dean of the Norton Wolf School of Aviation says, “this program will make [Fanshawe] much more attractive to London and investors”.
Aviation is considered one of the fastest-growing industries in today’s market and the demand for pilots and service staff is expected to grow by 30% between 2019 and 2038.
With the greening of aerospace industries, the flights are more robust and equally light so there is less fuel consumption, and this is possible through composite materials being used. As the new programs will be introduced, Norton Wolf School will be collaborating with Diamond Aircraft training who use composite material for building their planes. This will require a new set of manufacturers who will be competent to work these materials, creating a bigger opportunity for students.
Diamond Aircrafts training centre that is excited about the merger will be training future pilots to fly. Steve Marsh, staff and teacher says, “the noticeable shortage in the industry means airlines are looking for places that can train good quality pilots”.
“As someone who loves flying, its rewarding to see someone who comes in with no knowledge in the area, graduates and flies on their own.”
Fanshawe and Diamond’s collaboration is expected to “fill the gap in the industry with students who have a full range of aviation experience and this program prepares [them] well”, says Marsh.
Currently, 87% of the student have jobs in the industry, six months after graduation and 100% of the students have jobs before they leave for the winter holidays.
Luke Spinter, a second-year student at the Norton Wolf School of Aviation shares his experience and why he loves the program.
This change is expected to bring in over a massive influx of students which is will be a positive change for London. Kapil Lakhotia, the CEO and President of London Economic Development Corporation says, “its an exciting time for Fanshaw and London as a whole, it’s expected to bring in hundreds of students and the energy that comes with it”.
“We are lucky for this investment within London, and overall we can expect infrastructure and structure will be added”.
