Diamond Aircraft, the Chinese-owned Austrian company with a manufacturing plant in London, Ontario, has sign a memorandum of understanding with Ontario’s Centennial College calling for collaboration in the training of technical personnel for the aviation industry.

“Diamond Aircraft is excited about our collaboration with Centennial College,” said Diamond’s CEO Scott McFadzean. “We look forward to working with Centennial on several initiatives and offering co-op and employment opportunities to Centennial students and graduates.”

Centennial College’s School of Transportation offers four aviation and aerospace programs: two 2-year programs specializing in either aircraft or avionics maintenance that lead to an Ontario College Diploma, and two 3-year programs that add either aircraft or avionics maintenance management training and lead to an Ontario College Advanced Diploma. All four programs are based at Centennial’s Downsview airport facility (CYZD).

“As a start, work is underway in creating work co-op, placement and capstone opportunities with Diamond Aircraft for students in select Centennial programs,” said Dr. Rahim Karim of Centennial College. “As well, we are reviewing programming and graduate needs for Diamond to build their talent pipeline.”

Founded in 1981, Diamond currently employs more than 1,000 people worldwide, including at its Austrian headquarters and its manufacturing facilities in China and Ontario. The manufacturer produces motor gliders, 2-place and 4-place single-engine aircraft models, 4 to 7-seat twin-engine models as well as unmanned aerial vehicles. Diamond also manufactures flight simulators for the pilot training market.

Upper photo credit: WIA-Canada