working to help local companies take advantage of the in-
dustry’s global growth opportunities. The provincial orga-
nization could even serve as a model for a similar venture
in other areas of Canada while keeping in mind regional
differences, Quick said.
Canada has made significant contributions to the indus-
try: being the third nation in space, developing the Can-
adarm, serving as home to aircraft manufacturer Bombar-
dier, working with the government on the creation of a
new space station, maintaining a world-leading regulatory
framework and investing in ongoing research and devel-
opment. Facing the challenges of an aging labour demo-
graphic is another mandate, and AIAC is working to reach
younger generations to spark an interest in the aerospace
and space industries. They’ve gone into schools to make
industry announcements, Quick said, and use the oppor-
tunity to stress the importance of STEM (Science, Tech-
nology, Engineering, Mathematics) education as a path to
future careers.
“There’s now a global approach to our industry and we’re
really going to have to look inward at ourselves to make
sure we remain competitive,” Quick said. “What’s really
helping us is that we have a willing partner in the Govern-
ment of Canada.”
To learn more about AIAC and Canada’s role in the
aerospace and space sectors, visit
.
MAR/APR 2015
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