Looking for a new career in an essential field? Around 158,000 people work in Canada’s aviation sector. Air transportation has an important role in growing the economy, creating jobs, delivering goods and services, and connecting Canada to the rest of the world.
Want to help Canadians get the goods they need, and to the places they want to go? A career in aviation might be right for you!
On this page
- What jobs are available in air transportation?
- Skills and training
- Learn about an occupation
- Financial aid
- Apply for a job in air transportation
- For aviation industry employers
What jobs are available in air transportation?
There are many different jobs in the aviation sector. Here are just a few:
- pilots or co-pilots for a career in the sky, the need for aviation experts has never been higher
- aircraft maintenance engineers service and repair aircraft and aircraft parts
- aerospace engineers research, develop, test, evaluate, install, operate, and maintain aerospace vehicles and parts
- flight attendants make sure passengers are safe and comfortable during flights
- loadmaster ensures that the cargo is environmentally and physically secure and oversees all aspects of loading and unloading
- air traffic controllers make sure air traffic keeps moving in a safe and orderly way
- airport operations specialists perform inspections, communicate with air traffic control and maintain airfields so planes can safely take-off and land
- inspectors to ensure a safe and secure aviation transportation system (e.g. Transport Canada)
Skills and training
Pilots
Pilots can work almost anywhere with an airport. To become a pilot, you’ll need to pass a medical check, undertake training and many hours of flight time. There are 3 ways to become a pilot:
- join the Royal Canadian Air Force,
- register for an aviation program at a college, or
- take classes through a local flight school.
A private pilot license will allow you to fly, just for fun. Earning your private license will take at least 45 hours of flight training. You’ll probably need a private pilot license in order to register for an aviation program at a college and university.
Pilot training resources
- Aviation programs from Canadian colleges and universities
- Flight schools by province
- Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International | (auvsi.org)
- Drone Flight School list
Aircraft maintenance engineers
Being an aircraft maintenance engineer is a big responsibility because they keep passengers and pilots safe. Aircraft maintenance engineers maintain and repair aircrafts.
To become a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer, you must:
- be at least 21,
- complete a Transport Canada-approved basic training program for aircraft maintenance engineers, and
- be licensed by Transport Canada.
Training resources for aircraft maintenance engineers
Air traffic controllers
Being an air traffic controller is a great career with great pay. Air traffic controllers direct air traffic and control aircraft and service vehicles at airports.
To become an air traffic controller, you must:
- have completed secondary school,
- have a basic radio telephone operator's license,
- complete NAV Canada’s air traffic controller training program, and
- be licensed by Transport Canada.
For some jobs, you may also need:
- experience in air traffic control or flight operations, and
- a private pilot's license.
Training resources for air traffic controllers
- NAV Canada training programs
- Personnel Licensing and Training
- Professional radio operator certificates
Learn about an occupation
To explore further occupations in Canada’s aviation sector, visit these job profile reports on Job Bank – the leading source of jobs and labour market information in the country. Each report includes information about wages, career prospects, skills, job requirements and more.
- Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors
- Air traffic controllers and related occupations
- Pursers and flight attendants
- Airline ticket and service agents
- Ground and water transport ticket agents, cargo service representatives and related clerks
- Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
- Air transport ramp attendants
Financial aid
For job seekers
- Canadian Air Traffic Control Association awards and scholarships
- Student Aviation Financial
- Pilot Career Centre
- The Canadian Owners and Pilots’ Association Aviation Career and Scholarship Guide
Apply for a job in air transportation
As with other job categories, aviation jobs can be found through numerous ways, from working with your local gliding club or volunteering with an Air Cadet Squadron to applying to government positions or international airlines. The paths are many. Here are a few pathways to get you started.
Find available jobs in your area by using the national Job Bank:
- Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors
- Air traffic controllers and related occupations
- Pursers and flight attendants
- Airline ticket and service agents
- Ground and water transport ticket agents, cargo service representatives and related clerks
- Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
- Air transport ramp attendants
Other Aviation Careers:
- Royal Canadian Air Force careers
- Career Center | Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (auvsi.org)
For aviation industry employers
- Job Bank - Advertise your aviation jobs for free and reach the right candidates through several job boards across Canada
- Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace - Student Work Placement Program
- Government of Canada wage subsidies and other assistance programs