Women in Manitoba transition to careers in aerospace through new program

Originally posted: October 28, 2024

Women make up less than 20 per cent of skilled workers in the aerospace and aviation sectors in Manitoba, according to the Province of Manitoba. To help address this gender gap, Manitoba Aerospace secured funding from the Province of Manitoba to increase the number of women working in these fields as part of a broader strategy to support workforce development and poverty reduction in the province.

Following the publication of this strategy, Manitoba Aerospace, and their member company, StandardAero, partnered with MITT to deliver the Women Transitioning to Careers in Aerospace program. The program is designed to support women from diverse backgrounds and help them increase their future earning potential. This spring, 15 women received the training needed for entry-level careers in aerospace.

Over 20 weeks, students developed their skills through a mix of classroom instruction, work-integrated learning and mentorship, gaining foundational knowledge in gas turbine repair and overhaul. They also earned a Gas Turbine Disassembly and Assembly micro-certificate from MITT.

Currently, 96 per cent of the graduates are employed at StandardAero. Lori Grenkow, Director of Industry Training and Continuing Education at MITT, shared, “Our ongoing collaborations with Manitoba Aerospace and their industry members continue to create new training initiatives that build a skilled workforce and ongoing supply of new employees into the aerospace sector. We look forward to future partnerships and programs that provide training for specific industry needs.”

MITT works with partners in many sectors to develop programs supporting workforce development, like the Women Transitioning to Careers in Aerospace program.

If you’re interested in partnering with MITT to develop programs or training opportunities to upskill your workforce or attract new individuals to your sector, contact industry@mitt.ca.