New partnership to help meet looming demand for commercial pilots in Canada and the United States

Sheridan College and Brampton Flight Centre partner to give students a business degree while earning their wings

For Immediate Release: January 25, 2012
Brampton, Ontario

Sheridan College and the Brampton Flight Centre today rolled out an innovative new partnership that will allow students to earn both a business degree and their commercial pilot’s license at the same time.

The partnership is in response to a massive demand for new pilots and a major shift in the requirements for commercial pilots. Boeing estimates that in Canada and the United States there is a looming demand for nearly 100,000 new commercial pilots, and over 460,000 globally in the coming years. The program also addresses the hiring shift among commercial airlines to require degree accreditations among new pilots entering the industry.

“Sheridan’s Bachelor of Applied Business (Global Business Management) degree, combined with the world-class flight training the Brampton Flight Centre provides will make graduates from the program highly attractive to airlines,” said Dr. Jeff Zabudsky, President and CEO, Sheridan College. “Being a successful commercial pilot today involves much more than just flying. Pilots are expected to manage crews, operate in diverse environments and have a global perspective. We’ll give them that and allow students interested in a career as a pilot to go from zero experience to commercial pilot in four years.”

The Brampton Flight Centre and its Professional Commercial Pilot Program is renowned for its world class flight training facility and is internationally respected as one of the top aviation schools in Canada. Since 1946, over 50,000 pilots have trained at Brampton Flight Centre and many currently work for major airlines such as Air Canada, WestJet, Sunwing, Kingfisher and Emirates.

“More and more airlines are looking to go beyond just flying experience when it comes to hiring. A solid post-secondary education will give young pilots an edge when they walk in the door for that first flying job interview. This partnership will give prospective students the foundation and training to meet the demand for airline jobs down the road,” said Allan Paige, President, Brampton Flying Club. “The Sheridan/Brampton Flight Centre program makes it easy for students to realize their dream of flying at a cost much less than university programs. Students who enroll are going to receive top aviation instruction and a valuable business degree that will open more doors to them throughout their careers.”

Sheridan’s Bachelor of Applied Business in Global Business Management prepares students for a career in international business leadership. Business is increasingly conducted within a global framework. This four-year degree program presents concepts central to the traditional BBA and B.Com. degree programs in a global framework, strengthening their value to both students and employers. Key areas of focus include: international marketing; international supply chain management including purchasing, transportation, distribution and logistics; international finance; strategic management; and cross-cultural communications skills.