Jazz adds Algonquin College to its professional pilot career pathway program

Two scholarships for safety and professionalism awarded to top students

HALIFAX, May 30, 2016 /CNW/ - Jazz Aviation LP ("Jazz") is pleased to announce a further commitment to Canada's future professional pilots with a renewed agreement between the airline's Jazz Aviation Pathway Program ("Jazz APP") and Algonquin College's ("Algonquin") Aviation Management – General Arts and Science program.

"We're pleased to continue working together on pilot safety and professionalism with Algonquin College," said Steve Linthwaite, Vice President, Flight Operations, Jazz. "The Jazz APP scholarships are an important addition and we applaud the hard work demonstrated by this year's inaugural winners."

First signed in 2010, the industry-leading agreement between Jazz APP and Algonquin includes collaboration on training and curriculum to promote safety and professionalism, while providing relevant information on industry best practices. The Jazz APP is aimed at establishing a direct career path for qualifying graduates including flight simulator evaluations, student scholarships, and the opportunity for Algonquin's top-performing Aviation Management graduates to transition to first officer positions at Jazz.

Two awards were recently created to recognize Jazz's commitment to safety and professionalism:

The Jazz Aviation Pathway Award for Professionalism. Awarded to a full-time student in his or her final year of the Aviation Management program for outstanding contributions to safety, leadership and professionalism. The Award consists of a $3000 scholarship and an opportunity to participate in the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program selection process. The award recipient is selected by the Algonquin program chair or designate in consultation with Jazz to ensure the criteria as outlined are respected. On May 27, 2016, Jazz awarded the inaugural Aviation Pathway Award for Professionalism at Algonquin to Francis Daoust from Ottawa, ON.

The Jazz Aviation Pathway Award for Professionalism and Diversity. Awarded to a full-time student in his or her final year of the Aviation Management program who has self-identified as Aboriginal, a person with a disability, a visible minority, or female; for outstanding contributions to safety, leadership and professionalism. The Award consists of a $3000 scholarship and an opportunity to participate in the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program selection process. The award recipient is selected by the Algonquin program chair or designate in consultation with Jazz to ensure the criteria as outlined are respected. On May 27, 2016, Jazz awarded the inaugural Aviation Pathway Award for Professionalism and Diversity at Algonquin to Laura McAtamney from Ottawa, ON.

"We thank Jazz for their support of our students through this collaboration, which provides meaningful assistance and encouragement to our students in aviation programs," said Chris Janzen, Dean, Faculty of Technology and Trades. "Congratulations to both Francis and Laura on their outstanding success – we wish them well in their future careers."

Since 2007 Jazz has been actively involved in shaping the curriculum and training of Canada's future professional pilots through active engagement with aviation colleges and universities. In 2015, Jazz rebranded these efforts under the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program banner. To-date, Jazz has announced agreements between the Jazz APP and the following aviation colleges and universities: Algonquin College, Confederation College, Mount Royal University, Sault College, Seneca College and Western University.

About Jazz Aviation LP

Jazz Aviation LP has a strong history in Canadian aviation with its roots going back to the 1930s. Jazz is owned by Chorus Aviation Inc. As the largest regional carrier in Canada, Jazz has a proven track record of industry leadership and exceptional customer service, and has leveraged that strength to deliver value to all its stakeholders. Jazz operates more flights and flies to more Canadian destinations than any other airline, and has a workforce of approximately 4200 professionals, highly experienced in the challenging and complex nature of regional operations.

There are two airline divisions operated by Jazz Aviation LP: Air Canada Express and Jazz.

Air Canada Express: Under a capacity purchase agreement with Air Canada, Jazz provides service to and from lower-density markets as well as higher-density markets at off-peak times throughout North America with a fleet of 110 Canadian-made Bombardier aircraft.

Jazz: Under the Jazz brand, the airline offers charters throughout North America with a dedicated fleet of Bombardier aircraft for corporate clients, governments, special interest groups and individuals seeking more convenience. Jazz also has the ability to offer airline operators services such as ground handling, dispatching, flight load planning, training and consulting.

For more information, visit www.flyjazz.ca/pathwaysprogram.

About Algonquin College

The mission of Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology is to transform hopes and dreams into skills and knowledge, leading to lifelong career success. Algonquin College, an Ontario public sector community college, does this by offering hands-on, digitally connected applied learning in over 185 programs. Based in the Ottawa Valley, Algonquin College is the largest polytechnic institute in Eastern Ontario.

For more information, visit www.algonquincollege.com.  

SOURCE Jazz

Media contacts: Jazz Aviation LP: Teri Udle, [phone], Halifax, NS, [email protected]; Manon Stuart, [phone], Halifax, NS, [email protected]; Debra Williams, [phone], Toronto, ON, [email protected]; Algonquin College: Phil Gaudreau, [phone] ext 2091, [email protected]