When talking trades, terms like clean, warm and not physically taxing don’t always apply — unless you’re discussing aircraft repair, one of the most diverse, unique, and surprising opportunities offered at the University of the Fraser Valley.
“One of the things that intrigues me is the number of skills they gain here,” director of trades Rolf Arnold said during a recent open house at UFV’s Aerospace Centre, which houses the Aircraft Structures Repair program, along with Paul Brodie’s bike-building classes.
“It’s no more challenging than any other trade, but the big advantage is most everything is done indoors.
“It’s a nice, clean, warm option compared to other trades,” Arnold said, admitting, “If I was young and ambitious I’d be in here in a heartbeat.”
At 42 weeks, this Transport Canada approved program is the longest trade program UFV offers. Following the program’s completion, students work in their field for 25 months before writing a Canadian Aviation Regulations exam. If successful, they’ll finally and officially be Maintenance Engineers S-class (structure).
“If you’re meticulous and like doing things right, this program will really interest you,” suggested head instructor Wally Gallinger.
“You have to be precise; the industry often appeals to perfectionists with a keen attention to detail.”
Combined with the fact there’s almost no heavy lifting, aircraft repair is also unique in the trades world in that it appeals to as many women as men.
“Almost everything’s aluminum and light,” said Arnold, with other materials including Kevlar, carbon fiber, wood and fabric.
In fact, UFV’s training facility not only includes a massive building housing hunks of helicopters and airplanes (including the prestigious Lockheed Lodestar, once used to shuttle Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent), it also has a full woodworking room and paint booth, providing a breadth of experience and skills unmatched in almost any other trades program. One student even starting making his own skateboards using the skills he learned.
With all this in mind, it’s little surprise the program is gaining more attention and a wider audience, especially now it’s an approved program for the Canadian military, increasing the number of applicants from across the country vying for two annual intakes of 16 students in September and January.
For more, see ufv.ca/aerospace.htm.