Introduction

The JobStart/Future Skills Sector Partnerships Program of Saskatchewan Learning enabled a sector study of the aviation industry in Saskatchewan. This industry profile is based on that study, published in 1999.

The aviation industry established a partnership of industry members and key stakeholders through funding and support from the Sector Partnerships Program. These partners worked together to carry out a study that identified current and future hiring needs and training requirements.

Strategic planning enables industry and training providers to work together to provide training opportunities that match the skills the industry requires.

For more information about the Sector Partnership Report and this industry visit the Executive Summary. You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this PDF file.

Aviation Overview

The global scene

• In 1999, the International Civil Aviation Organization forecast growth in scheduled passenger traffic world-wide of 5% in the year 2000 and 6% in 2001.
  
• The world’s fleet was expected to more than double from 12,600 aircraft in 1998 to 28,400 in 2018.
  
• These aircraft will require maintenance and repairs. Much of the world’s present fleet of aircraft are aging and require an increasing amount of maintenance.
  
• There is a global demand for a variety of positions related to aircraft maintenance.

The Canadian scene

• Through the concerted efforts of the industry and the regulator, Transport Canada, Canada has an aviation safety record that is among the best in the world.
  
• Aviation and career Web sites list hundreds of aviation technical jobs in Canada and the U.S. Larger Canadian aviation maintenance organizations offer competitive salaries, signing bonuses and paid moves. These attract experienced aircraft maintenance engineers away from Saskatchewan.
  

Saskatchewan Overview

• Saskatchewan has the best flying space in the country, with excellent flying weather, good navigational facilities and air traffic services, and light traffic.
  
• The Saskatchewan aviation industry is a dynamic and growing industry. At the time of the 1999 study, it made up about 10% of the provincial economy.
  
• On average, aviation industry companies generated 86% of their gross revenue within Saskatchewan.
  
• Northern industries such as tourism and mining rely on air carriers.
  
• Pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers, clerks and flying instructors are the four aviation occupations with the largest number of employees.
  
• There are over 330 pilots and flying instructors employed by 17 air carriers and flying schools in the province.
  
• The Saskatchewan aviation industry is faced with an absence of training facilities for pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers.
  
• In 1999, over 90% of aviation maintenance organizations said that Saskatchewan was experiencing a shortage of licensed and apprentice aircraft maintenance engineers and Canadian Aircraft Maintenance Council (CAMC) certified technicians.
  
• A significant amount of aircraft maintenance work is sent out of the province, typically for engine and instrument overhaul and hydraulics.
  

Kinds of employers

• Aviation workers are employed by charter and scheduled airlines, corporations, government organizations, flight schools and flying clubs.
  
• Employers may provide seasonal service, medical evacuation (medivac), fire fighting, aerial spraying or other specialized services.
  

Who works in the industry?

• Seventy-five percent of pilots and flying instructors are between the ages of 25 and 44. Thirteen percent of pilots are over 45 years of age.
  
• Eighty percent of aircraft maintenance engineers are between 25 and 44 years old.
  
• Men dominate in this field. It’s estimated that 6% of pilots and 1% of aircraft maintenance engineers are women.
  
• Aboriginal people make up 3% of each category: pilots, flying instructors and aircraft maintenance engineers.
  Visible minorities make up 3% of pilots and 1.5% of aircraft maintenance engineers.
  
• Less than 1% of pilots and 1.5% of aircraft maintenance engineers are people with disabilities.
  

Saskatchewan Trends

• The most pressing need for both training and workers in the aviation industry is for pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers.
  
• The industry is facing a critical demand for pilots, fueled by the following factors:
  
  • Thirteen percent of pilots are over the age of 45 and approaching retirement.
    
  • There is an average turnover rate of 17% in the industry.
    
  • A limited number of commercial pilots are being trained in Saskatchewan.
    
  • Pilots are finding work in other markets.
    
• Of aircraft maintenance engineers, 12% are over the age of 45. This will impact the industry over the ten years from 1999 to 2009 as these workers approach retirement.
  
• Companies surveyed in 1999 expected "consolidation of aviation technicians to emerge as a new occupation." They also expect more specialized aviation technician jobs to emerge.
  
• Globalization is affecting the way Saskatchewan airlines do business, resulting in higher costs but also broader consumer markets and access to world suppliers. Globalization has also opened opportunities for Saskatchewan pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers to work abroad.
  
• Changes in regulations and standards set by Transport Canada and technology have resulted in changes in the formal education and training requirements for pilots.
  

Related Jobs

The following list provides an idea of some of the jobs in the aviation area.

Where there is a relevant occupational description in Saskatchewan Job Futures, you can click on the job to go directly to that description. You’ll learn more about the occupation, including education and training requirements, work duties, wage information and employment trends.

National Occupational Classification (NOC) numbers follow the job title. You can use the NOC numbers to look up the occupations in the NOC.

Other related jobs include: office administrator, manager, accounting clerk and other clerical staff.

Where the Jobs Are

A significant portion of Saskatchewan flying occurs in the north where some areas are only accessible, or are more easily accessible, by air.

Earnings

• Entry-level pilots can expect to earn around $26,000 to $26,500 per year. The reported range for entry-level pilots is $15,000 to $52,000.
  
• An experienced pilot can expect to earn about $47,400. The range for experienced pilots is $19,000 to $75,000.
  
• Entry-level aircraft maintenance engineers can expect to earn around $26,000 to $26,500 per year. The range for entry-level aircraft maintenance engineers is $15,000 to $42,000.
  
• An experienced aircraft maintenance engineer can expect a salary of about $48,300. Experienced aircraft maintenance engineers earn incomes in a range of $33,000 to $60,000.

Skills and Training

Education and training levels have changed in the aviation industry, along with changes in regulations and standards set by Transport Canada. In June 2000 the number of ground school hours required for commercial pilot training increased to 400 hours from 40 hours. Other new rules and regulations governing commercial pilot training were also introduced. These create a more rigorous industry standard.

Technology and computers have also resulted in an increase in the level of training a person needs to become a pilot.

A college diploma in aviation has become appropriate preparation for pilots who want to fly for a large carrier. The Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) Kelsey campus offers a commercial pilot diploma program in partnership with the Saskatchewan Aviation Council (SAC).

Saskatchewan offers a provincial apprenticeship program for aircraft maintenance engineer technician. To become an apprentice you must be currently working in the trade under the supervision of a certified tradesperson. To become certified you must complete 7,200 hours (4 years) of technical and on-the-job training. The required technical training is delivered in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The Canadian Aircraft Maintenance Council (CAMC) has identified 13 different trade areas and developed nationally recognized occupational standards for them. CAMC courses are offered at a number of CAMC accredited schools across Canada.

Want to find out what kind of aviation-related education and training programs are offered in Saskatchewan? Check into What to Study? to find out what’s available and where.

Skills and knowledge that workers in the industry need include:

Pilot

Some employers are looking for pilots with multi-crew experience. Others need aerial spraying skills. Still others look for bush flying skills and experience picking up passengers in remote locations. In general, pilots need a good work ethic, common sense, and good people and communication skills.

Aircraft Maintenance Engineers

Employers look for aircraft maintenance engineers with a good attitude and work ethic, learning and problem-solving skills, and the ability to work independently and with others.

The Future

• In 1999, industry analysts at the international, national and provincial levels were predicting tremendous growth in aviation.
  
• The Saskatchewan companies surveyed in 1999 expected growth over the following five years of 250% for airline sales agents, 167% for flight attendants, 20% for pilots and 17% for flying instructors.
  
• Global positioning systems, computers and communication technology will impact aviation over the five years from 1999. The biggest impact technology will have is in training.
  
• People in the aviation industry will need to have a working knowledge of computers.
  
• Niche market operators such as ski and float operators and aerial sprayers will require pilots with specialized knowledge in the appropriate equipment.
  

Related Information

Visit the following Web sites for more information on the aviation industry:

Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council (CAMC)
Transport Canada — General Aviation

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