Boeing Invests $17M in Indigenous Aerospace Training Initiative

The Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology (SIIT) and Boeing Canada have partnered to advance Indigenous involvement in the aerospace industry. The partnership comes with a $17 million investment from Boeing, which has established a new Saskatchewan Aviation Learning Centre located on Koyle Avenue. The centre features modern classrooms, a specialized avionics lab, and expanded learning opportunities for students.

SIIT President and CEO Riel Bellegarde highlighted the significance of the new facility, stating that students will have the opportunity to work on engines and avionics systems, including repairing and fixing instruments in planes and helicopters. This avionics program is a provincial first, not offered anywhere else in Saskatchewan.

Boeing Canada President Al Meinzinger was present for the announcement, noting that the government's defense industrial strategy aims to create an additional 125,000 jobs in the aerospace industry over the next decade. He emphasized the importance of institutions like SIIT being able to double their capacity year-over-year to meet this demand.

As a result of the investment, SIIT's aviation division can now accommodate 50 students, up from 25 in previous years. This expansion is expected to increase the centre's throughput and contribute to the growth of the aerospace industry in the region.