Abbotsford (British Columbia), August 9, 2019 – The Aerospace, Defence and Security Expo (ADSE) has wrapped its 9th annual successful conference and trade show, marking the first major gathering of Canada’s aerospace sector since the release of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada’s (AIAC) industry-led Vision 2025 report.
Kelowna, British Columbia – AIAC Pacific has been recognized by the Province of British Columbia and the province’s Industry Training Authority (ITA) for its contribution to the training of female apprentices. The recognition came at an event announcing an innovative partnership between the Industry Training Authority (ITA), AIAC Pacific, KF Aerospace, and Okanagan College to support apprentices in the aircraft maintenance engineering structures (AME ‘S’) program.
AIAC Pacific thanks everyone who attended the SME Workshop at BCIT in Richmond on December 12, 2016. The workshop presentations are now available to review or download. Presentation #1 – AS9100/ISO Certification & Audit – John Graham, Fulcrum Associates, LLC: as9100diso-9001-overview-john-graham. Presentation #2 – AS9100/ISO Certification & Audit – Juan Carlos Azpilcueta, SAI Global: saiglobal_ppt_aersoapce-certification_dec-12th-2016. Presentation #3 – How can SMEs do business with the federal government? – Tess Menges, OSME: how-can-smes-do-business-with-the-federal-government Presentation #4 – BC Supplier Development Program for SMEs – Jim Ciccateri, Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training: aiac-sme-forum-supplier-dev Presentation #5 – MITACS – R&D opportunities for SMEs – Robert Grace, MITACS Inc.: mitacs-delivering-innovation-through-rd-december-2016-aiac-pacific Presentation #6 – CARIC – A National Collaboration Initiative for the Canadian Aerospace Industry – Dwayne Lucas, CARIC: caric_presentation-12-dec-2016_en
AIAC Pacific is conducting a study of BC’s aerospace labour market and needs your input. During the past month, AIAC Pacific – working in partnership with the provincial government – has conducted a number of consultation sessions with various groups in different regions to gather information about the BC Aerospace Industry’s labour and skills needs – including the occupations you’re struggling to hire, and the reasons why. If you were able to participate in one of these consultation sessions – THANK YOU! Your participation and feedback is greatly appreciated. If you weren’t able to make it to one of these sessions, you can still provide your feedback by completing a short survey. It’s important that we hear from as many of you as possible, and from companies large and small in different sectors and in different parts of the province. Please help us by completing this short (10 minute) survey. Even if you did participate in one of the consultation sessions, please complete the survey so we have a record of your specific thoughts. (One response per company is sufficient.) To access the survey, click here. We will be accepting responses until Tuesday, November 15th. This project is made possible with funding provided through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement, Sector Labour Market Partnership Programs. The purpose of this project is to work with organizations within British Columbia’s Aerospace Sector to achieve clear consensus and direction on priority labour market issues – related to ISS/MRO, advanced manufacturing, aviation training, space and remote sensing, and research and development. The engagement process will identify key issues including the quality and type of skill sets needed for current and future labour market needs, as well as create a leadership and governance structure for subsequent Sector LMP Program phases. For questions, please contact: Mike Mueller Vice President, Operations & Communications, AIAC Pacific MMueller@aiac.ca (604) 655-3566 or: Taylor Briggs Vice President, Government Relations & Policy, AIAC Pacific TBriggs@aiac.ca (604) 652-3324
AIAC Pacific welcomes the announcement by Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) that the Government of Canada will provide $75,000 in funding support for the Aerospace, Defence and Security Expo (ADSE), August 11 and 12, 2016 in Abbotsford. For more information, click here to read the full WD news release.
Conair Group Inc., a leader in the aerospace and aerial firefighting sectors, has announced three aerospace initiatives that highlight the region’s contribution to R&D investment, job creation, environmental protection, and the safety of B.C and West Coast communities. NEWS RELEASE Abbotsford, B.C. – February 19, 2016 – Today, Conair Group Inc., a leader in the aerospace and aerial firefighting sectors, announced three aerospace initiatives that highlight the region’s contribution to R&D investment, job creation, environmental protection, and the safety of communities in B.C. and along the West Coast. These initiatives include: Engineering and construction on the new purpose built RJ85, a type one Airtanker with cutting-edge aerial firefighting capability. This program has created 50 jobs. The launch of a new enhancement program for the Bombardier Q400 Airtanker. The completed aircraft will be the most versatile 10,000 litre airtanker combination on the market today. The project is estimated to create over 30 new jobs. The signing of an M.O.U. with CAE, Inc. to build a world-class wildfire training and simulation centre in B.C. The agreement will bring a Conair/CAE RJ85 class D flight simulator to B.C. and establish Conair as the anchor customer for RJ85 pilot training. Once a full-scale, training and simulation centre is established in B.C. new job opportunities will be created such as Full Flight Simulator Trainers, Simulator Technicians and Simulation Centre Operations Staff. All three projects are creating high-quality, skilled jobs in B.C. throughout the design, production, implementation and operation phases. AIAC Pacific is committed to working with Conair and our other members in building a unified and sustainable aerospace cluster in B.C. Senior government representatives joined industry at the event, signaling their support for the sector. Joining Conair CEO Barry Marsden for the announcement were: the Honourable Mike de Jong, B.C. Minister of Finance and MLA for Abbotsford; the Honourable Shirley Bond, B.C. Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour; and the Honourable Steve Thomson, B.C. Minister of Forests, Lands, & Natural Resource Operations. “As we have seen today, the aerospace sector in B.C. continues to innovate and invest in cutting edge technology that is creating long term, well paying jobs. Today’s announcement reinforces the reputation of Conair and the B.C. aerospace sector as world leaders in aerospace and aerial firefighting,” said AIAC President and CEO, Jim Quick. “I am pleased to congratulate Conair on these three extraordinary initiatives, and I thank Ministers de Jong, Bond and Thomson for their continued support of our industry.” Related Links: BC Government/Conair news release, photos and video About AIAC: AIAC is the national association representing Canada’s aerospace manufacturing and services sector. As the world’s fifth-largest aerospace industry, Canada’s aerospace sector contributes nearly $28B to the economy in GDP, exports 80% of its output, and dedicates over 20% of its activity to research and development (R&D). Aerospace is responsible for the employment of 172,000 Canadians. AIAC represents the interests of over 700 aerospace companies across Canada. About AIAC Pacific: In early 2014, AIAC created AIAC Pacific with a mandate to promote and develop aerospace business in B.C. by acting as an advocate and facilitator for its members with industry and government. AIAC Pacific speaks with a cohesive voice for the industry; it provides access for B.C. companies to national and international programs; and aims to develop a strong relationship with the provincial government. AIAC Pacific has a unique relationship with AIAC in that it is the only provincial entity managed by the AIAC. Through this relationship, AIAC Pacific is able to leverage participation in national and international programs designed to enhance business development, investment and global competitiveness. Media Contacts: Kristen VanderHoek, Director of Communications, AIAC, 613 232-4297 x225, kvanderhoek@aiac.ca Mike Mueller, Vice President, Operations and Communications, AIAC Pacific, Cell (604) 655-3566, mmueller@aiac.ca
The Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) is pleased to announce that it has hired two new executives, Taylor Briggs and Mike Mueller, to lead the continued growth and development of AIAC Pacific. As Vice Presidents for AIAC Pacific, Mr. Briggs and Mr. Mueller bring their years of experience in the private and public sectors to expand the association’s business development, programs and services, and relationships with government and stakeholders. “AIAC Pacific has grown significantly since it was founded two years ago, and these appointments reflect that growth and the changing needs of the association,” said Jim Quick, President and CEO of AIAC. “We were looking for individuals whose experience in public policy, program development, and business development could build on the valuable partnerships we have established with governments, stakeholders, research institutions and industry both in BC and across the country. With the combination of their unique backgrounds and expertise, we are confident that Mr. Briggs and Mr. Mueller are the right choices to lead AIAC Pacific and we are very excited to welcome them to the team.” A government relations expert with years of experience at the Port of Vancouver and advising B.C. Cabinet ministers, Taylor Briggs will be responsible for AIAC Pacific’s government relations efforts. He will lead the execution of AIAC Pacific’s partnership with the Government of British Columbia to implement the government’s $5 million, 5-year commitment to create a unified BC aerospace cluster. He will also manage AIAC Pacific’s stakeholder relations and policy development. With extensive management and communications experience in both the private sector and as a senior advisor and Chief of Staff to federal Cabinet ministers, Mike Mueller will lead AIAC Pacific’s communications, marketing and business development initiatives. He will be responsible for the continued growth of the Aerospace, Defence and Security Expo (ADSE), as well as expanding AIAC Pacific’s strategic programs and partnerships to enhance the association’s long term growth and value to members. Mr. Briggs and Mr. Mueller will assume their responsibilities on January 25, 2016. About AIAC: AIAC is the national association representing Canada’s aerospace manufacturing and services sector. As the world’s fifth-largest aerospace industry, Canada’s aerospace sector contributes over $29B to the economy in GDP, exports 80% of its output, and dedicates over 20% of its activity to research and development (R&D). Aerospace is responsible for the employment of 180,000 Canadians. About AIAC Pacific: The Aerospace Industries Association of Canada created AIAC Pacific with a mandate to promote and develop aerospace business in BC by acting as an advocate and facilitator among industry and government. AIAC Pacific speaks with a cohesive voice for the industry; it provides access for BC companies to national and international programs; and, it aims to develop a strong relationship with the provincial government. AIAC Pacific has a unique relationship with AIAC in that it is the only provincial entity managed by the national association.
Vancouver (British Columbia), December 21, 2015 – Today Jim Quick, President and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC), announced that it has appointed Dwayne Lucas as Interim Vice President of AIAC’s Pacific division while the association conducts a search for a permanent replacement forJay Teichroeb. Mr. Teichroeb, who has led AIAC Pacific since it was founded in 2013, is departing the association at the end of December. Previously the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Cascade Aerospace and a Brigadier General in the Royal Canadian Air Force, Mr. Lucas is a longstanding leader in the British Columbia aerospace industry. Mr. Lucas currently serves as the Regional Director for the Consortium for Aerospace Research and Innovation (CARIC) in British Columbia. He is also closely involved in the development of the Aerospace, Defence and Security Expo (ADSE), which AIAC Pacific hosts each August in conjunction with the Abbotsford Air Show. “We are very pleased that Mr. Lucas has agreed to lead AIAC Pacific while we continue our search,” said Mr. Quick. “Dwayne’s in-depth knowledge of the industry and history of leadership in the BC aerospace community make him an excellent choice, and we look forward to working with him over the months ahead.” “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Jay Teichroeb for his service to our association and industry. Jay’s leadership was instrumental to the creation of AIAC Pacific and to our work with the Province of British Columbia in establishing a unified aerospace industry in BC. His deep knowledge of the BC business community and his strategic vision for the association has greatly benefited our membership, and he will be missed,” added Mr. Quick. About AIAC: AIAC is the national association representing Canada’s aerospace manufacturing and services sector. As the world’s fifth-largest aerospace industry, Canada’s aerospace sector contributes over $29B to the economy in GDP, exports 80% of its output, and dedicates over 20% of its activity to research and development (R&D). Aerospace is responsible for the employment of 180,000 Canadians. About AIAC Pacific: The Aerospace Industries Association of Canada created AIAC Pacific with a mandate to promote and develop aerospace business in BC by acting as an advocate and facilitator among industry and government. AIAC Pacific speaks with a cohesive voice for the industry; it provides access for BC companies to national and international programs; and, it aims to develop a strong relationship with the provincial government. AIAC Pacific has a unique relationship with AIAC in that it is the only provincial entity managed by the national association. For information: Kristen VanderHoek Director of Communications Aerospace Industries Association of Canada 613 232-4297 x225, kvanderhoek@aiac.ca
“Staying competitive in a challenging global market has been a key focus for the Canadian aerospace industry.” The aerospace industry is featured in the Nov. 16 issue of The Globe and Mail. Download the PDF or read it online.
AIAC Pacific Committee member Dave Caddey passed away peacefully on September 2 at the age of 65 after a brief battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Donna, and two adult sons. Dave leaves behind a powerful legacy to the aerospace community and particularly to Canada’s achievements in space. He worked at MDA for nearly thirty years, from 1986 until his retirement late last year, lending his management and leadership skills to some of Canada’s most advanced space systems projects. He also served on AIAC’s Board for from 2000 to 2014, including terms as Board Chairman, Honourary Treasurer, Chair of the AIAC finance and audit committee, and Chair of the Space Committee and the Space Working Group during the Emerson Review. Dave was the recipient of a James C. Floyd Award for Achievement in Aerospace at the Canadian Aerospace Summit in Ottawa last November. He was a personal friend to many in the BC and Canadian aerospace community, and will be deeply missed.