Help For Aviation Students to Complete Training

EDUCATION/CULTURE-Help For Aviation Students to Complete Training

The Nova Scotia Department of Education and Culture is pursuing every available option to help former Career Academy of Aviation students in Halifax complete their training and earn their pilot's licences.

Discussions are now under way with at least seven other flight schools to identify training seats. As just one example, arrangements with the Moncton Flight College could see some students back in the air as early as next week.

"We've worked with students, and on behalf of students at the school, for some time," Education and Culture Minister Robbie Harrison said today. "We'll continue to stand by them until they complete their training."

The hours the students logged toward their pilot's licences to date are fully transferable - and up to Transport Canada standards. "Our primary goal is to seek out schools that offer pilot training and link the students with these schools so the students fly again as quickly as possible," Mr. Harrison said.

Mr. Harrison has arranged to meet with students to discuss progress. This will be part of ongoing communication with students to keep them up-to-date on progress being made on their behalf.

Department staff have personally been in touch with approximately 70 per cent of students since the school closed Friday. Each student is in a different stage of training, has different tuition commitments, and faces individual circumstances. The department is setting up appointments with small groups of students to develop the best course of action.

The Halifax aviation school announced its decision to close after its Newfoundland parent company encountered financial difficulties. The school had a 20-year track record of providing training to students. Earlier program issues raised by Transport Canada had been addressed by the school. The Nova Scotia Department of Education and Culture became aware of the school's financial difficulties earlier this month.