Attracting women to careers in aviation and aerospace
TORONTO, Nov. 26, 2018 /CNW/ - Porter Airlines is sponsoring a new mentorship program with The Northern Lights Aero Foundation to attract and retain more women in aviation and aerospace.
The Northern Lights Mentorship Program is designed to connect aspiring and experienced aviation professionals. Participants will broaden their professional networks, receive practical advice and form a support network to help guide them through their career. Mentors, both male and female, will motivate and inspire women to pursue opportunities in aviation and aerospace while enhancing their leadership and communication skills.
"Women are generally underrepresented in aviation and aerospace. The Northern Lights Mentorship Program helps break down barriers by connecting women with mentors who know the industry and generally have a passion for what they do and want to share it with other aviation enthusiasts," said Robert Deluce, president and CEO of Porter Airlines. "There are many opportunities within aviation - from being a pilot, to a maintenance engineer or dispatcher - having someone to help navigate the path forward is invaluable."
The Northern Lights Mentorship Program focuses on three phases of career planning and connects participants with mentors who can best support them:
- Considering a career within aviation and aerospace (imagining)
- Training and development (training)
- Established within the industry (developing)
"It is so important, in the pursuit of bringing in and retaining more women in this industry, to have a tool whereby they can have mentors suited to their needs, whether it is in simply considering a career, the struggles in training or discovering new pathways," said Joy Parker Blackwood, President, Northern Lights Aero Foundation. "The new mentorship program supports our mission to create career opportunities in aviation and aerospace for Canadian women."
"Throughout the various stages of my professional life, my mentors have helped me in countless ways make informed decisions about my career choices and allowed me to build a network of immeasurable connections. Their advice and willingness to share their personal experiences with me were constant sources of inspiration and support and I feel it is my duty to pay it forward by mentoring others so they too can succeed," said Eva Martinez, Vice President, In-Service Support, PAL Aerospace. "One of the benefits of mentoring is the invaluable relationships that develop over time. These help me become a better person, role model and leader."
Porter's sponsorship of the mentorship program includes funds and in-kind services for its development and design. The program launched at the Northern Lights Awards Gala on September 29, an annual event honouring outstanding women in Canadian aviation and aerospace.
Join The Northern Lights Mentorship Program as a mentor or mentee by visiting the website.
Porter's support of the Northern Lights Aero Foundation stems from its Women Soar at Porter program, which launched in 2016. The program is led by dedicated Porter volunteers who actively promote opportunities that exist for women in aviation. At Porter, female pilots represent approximately 13% of the total group, versus approximately 5% for the overall industry. Porter has the highest percentage of female pilots in Canada.
About Porter
Porter Airlines has revolutionized short-haul flying with a warm and effortless approach to hospitality, restoring glamour and refinement to air travel. Porter is an Official 4 Star Airline® in the World Airline Star Rating®.
The airline currently offers flights to Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Fredericton, Saint John, Moncton, Halifax, St. John's, Stephenville, N.L., Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, Windsor, New York (Newark), Chicago (Midway), Boston and Washington (Dulles), and has seasonal flights to Mt. Tremblant, Que., Myrtle Beach, S.C., Burlington, Vt., and Orlando-Melbourne, Fla.
Vacation packages are available from Porter Escapes at www.porterescapes.com, or call (855) 372-1100 for more information.
Visit www.flyporter.com or follow @porterairlines on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
SOURCE Porter Airlines Inc.
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