The world of aviation is limitless. It’s welcoming, exciting, empowering, and ever-changing. Here – you find your passion.
From travel opportunities, to meeting new people, financial security, and company and lifestyle benefits, there are a boundless reasons to join the industry and millions of jobs that support it.
Aviation means being part of a diverse team, with varying roles requiring unique skill sets and providing differing opportunities. And with every major city in the world having an airport, it’s simply about finding the right role for you.
Elevate Aviation and its partners are proud to provide a platform for women to not only succeed in aviation, but thrive. Whichever path you choose, whether it’s soaring the skies as a pilot, meticulously circumventing delays as an air traffic controller, or making sure every plane is in tip-top shape as an airline mechanic, we’re here to support you.
There are a plethora of careers within the aviation industry, all of which are occupied by both males and females. Remember, for every plane in the air, there are hundreds of people working behind the scenes to keep things on track, from high-level business operations all the way down to technical care. Opportunity simply awaits.
We’re passionate about recruiting women to be a part of the industry. Why? Because it’s a place for you to thrive.
Photo by Nancy Critchley Photography
Airport Ramp Agents perform airside operations such as loading and unloading aircraft baggage, guiding planes to and from their gates, operating baggage carts, de-icing planes and performing other airplane servicing duties. You will work either as an airport or airline-specific employee, depending on the airport at which you work. This position is responsible for a number of different tasks that are critical to the safety and efficiency of flights. Ramp agents have fast-paced careers and should be comfortable working in any weather, including rain, snow and heat. If you love working in a fast paced team environment and solving problems, this is the career opportunity for you.
What your day-to-day looks like:
Cabin Service and Cleaning Attendants are ground personnel at airports whose duties include prepping and securing the aircraft cabins for departure. This job calls for someone who is quick, detailed, and efficient. If you’re a hands-on team player who will thrive in a diverse team and an active environment, this may be the role for you.
What your day-to-day looks like:
The Stock keeper is responsible for the receiving, shipping, warehousing and issuing functions at an airport. This role includes the operation of motorized equipment and local delivery vehicles. This position is best suited for detail oriented employees that are comfortable working with a team.
What your day-to-day looks like:
Stores Agents are responsible for supporting the work of the stores team by counting inventory items and entering data into a tracking system. This job is perfect for someone who has a talent for completing tasks efficiently with meticulous attention to detail.
What your day-to-day looks like:
Aircraft refuelers operate trucks to transport and deliver goods. They are responsible for the aircraft’s fuelling, movement, placement, and storage. This role has a variety of duties and is best suited for organized, hands-on individuals with a dedication to following protocols. Aircraft Fuelers have fast-paced careers and should be comfortable working in any weather, including rain, snow and heat. If you love working in a fast paced team environment and solving problems, you could consider a career such as this.
What your day-to-day looks like:
The Customer Service Agent (CSA) will answer the phone, provide assistance to customers and use problem-solving techniques.The CSA is responsible for greeting customers, checking in reservations, and processing payments. The CSA acts as a brand ambassador, providing positive experiences to all customers. People in this role enjoy working with people and solving problems and enjoy change in their work from day to day.
What your day-to-day looks like:
Call Center Representatives excel at creating a remarkable experience for guests by providing one-on-one telephone support and information. The Call Center Representative acts as the first point of contact for guests and plays an essential role in their experience. If you are a social, communicative, and collaborative person who can handle multiple responsibilities at once, then this position is for you.
What your day-to-day looks like:
The Human Resources Coordinator will assist the Human Resource department by applying and implementing HR programs, policies, and procedures. The Human Resources Coordinator is responsible for recruiting new employees from start to finish. This position is ideal for those who are organized, have an aptitude for document use and enjoy working in a team environment.
What your day-to-day looks like:
The Cargo Sales Agent takes cargo reservations in accordance with company policy and health and safety rules. This role includes the responsibility for completing general administrative tasks, as well as other duties that may be assigned by upper management. This position requires excellent skills in managing relationships with service providers and subcontractors.
What your day-to-day looks like:
Flight attendants help ensure that everyone on board their plane is safe and comfortable by providing exceptional customer service. Flight attendants primary responsibility is to ensure the safety of passengers, crew members, and aircraft. This position calls for someone who enjoys continuous learning and is caring, safety-conscious, and passionate about providing excellent customer service.
What your day-to-day looks like:
Aerospace Engineers are responsible for developing new systems and aircraft that meet the highest standards for safety and performance. Each year, more than 1 200 new and modified aeronautical products are built or operated in Canada. A day in the life of an aerospace engineer could include developing new aircraft flight systems, designing new propulsion systems, or studying and analyzing aircraft aerodynamics.
Aerospace engineers have experience and education in aerodynamics, stress analysis and structural design, flight mechanics, stability and control, aircraft performance, propulsion, avionics and systems, or mechanical and electrical engineering.
Only 16 percent of the aircraft, spacecraft, and manufacturing subgroup within aerospace are women.
Career Options:
Where Can You Work:
Anywhere in Canada, although the demand will be higher in larger cities.
Prerequisites:
Where to Train:
There are many universities across Canada that offer a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering degrees including Carleton University, Concordia University, Ecole Polytech de Montreal, Royal Military College of Canada, and Toronto Metropolitan University. Undergraduate degrees can also be earned in various schools in the country.
Length of Training:
4 years
Skills Needed:
Cost of training:
Tuition costs vary dependant on university.
Average Starting Salary:
$50,000 – $65,000 per year
Average Max Salary:
$145,000 per year
Additional Information:
Special provincial licensing may be required.
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) is a part of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces. It defends and protects Canadian and North American airspace in partnership with the United States. The RCAF also contributes to international peace and security. With a wide variety of different occupations, the RCAF provides amazing career opportunities and personal growth.
As of 2014, the Royal Canadian Air Force is comprised of 18.7% women.
Career Options:
Where You Could Work:
Any military base in Canada, but most commonly on an RCAF Wing. These are located in:
Prerequisites. You must:
For more details, go to www.forces.ca
Process:
Average Salary:
This depends on entry plan. For more details visit www.forces.ca.
Additional Information:
When joining the Regular Force (full time service), a willingness to relocate is required, as you could be posted at any base in Canada. Joining the Reserve Force (part time service), is an option for those who cannot or do not wish to relocate.
For more information, go to www.forces.ca.
A career as an air traffic controller is rewarding, exciting, and dynamic.
In Canada 17% of air traffic controllers are women.
Career Options:
Where Can You Work:
NAV CANADA employs all of the air traffic controllers in Canada. Tower controllers work at one of 41 airports across the country and area controllers work in one of the seven area controller centres.
Training Required:
All training is provided by NAV CANADA.
Where to Train:
You will be completing classroom training in one of the seven ACC’s and then posted to your specific specialty for the on the job training portion.
Length of Training:
Basic training is between 4-6 months, followed by specialty training. The specialty training consists of 4-8 months of classroom and 6-12 months of on-the-job training.
Skills Needed:
Requirements:
Application Process:
Average Starting Salary:
Average Max Salary: $200,000 per year plus premiums
Additional Information:
The application process is extremely competitive. Successfully completing a stage does not guarantee that you will be invited to participate in the next step. Apply online here:
As an AME you will be servicing and repairing all types of aircraft and helicopters.
Only 2% of AME’s are women. This career has the lowest percentage of women in the entire industry.
Career Growth:
Where Can You Work:
Training Required:
Where to Train:
At a vocational, technical, or community college with an accredited Aircraft Maintenance program. Different colleges offer different certifications, so make sure you research which AME certification is offered at your college of choice! There are plenty of schools that offer this training accross Canada, for example, RRC Polytech – Stevenson Campus in Winnipeg, MB, BCIT Aerospace Technology Campus in Richmond, BC, and Canadore College in North Bay, Ontario all offer AME programs.
Length of Training:
The average length of college AME programs is two years. Following this, you must work a minimum of 2.5 years as an apprentice before becoming a full-fledged AME.
Skills Needed:
Average Starting Salary: $58,000 – $72,000 per year
Average Max Salary: $130,000 per year
Airport operations specialists work hard to keep Canada’s airports operating safely and effectively.
With a broad training in aviation operations, business management and human resources, airport operations specialists can pursue careers in airspace management, wildlife control, runway operations, airport management, firefighting and emergency response, and security—but these are just a few of the career options available!
Career Options:
Where Can You Work:
Prerequisites:
Where to Train:
Vocational colleges or business programs through a post secondary institution.
Length of Training:
Depending on the particular role, training can range from a few months to a number of years.
Skills Needed:
Cost of training:
Prices can be found at local colleges or training institutions. Depending on career path, on the job training may be available or equivalent experience will be considered in place of education.
Average Starting Salary:
$40,000 – $65,000 per year
Average Max Salary:
$150,000 per year
Additional Information:
A willingness to relocate helps but is not required for all jobs. There are plenty of jobs that allow you to be home most nights and plenty that will have you travelling the world. The path you choose is up to you!
In this energetic, go-getter role you may apply your talents anywhere from monitoring budgets and project pipelines, to reporting rhythms, and even special events planning. You enjoy sharing status reports and liaising with people from diverse backgrounds, roles, and ways of thinking, weaving the details of their assignments into one big picture. These roles even include marketing, law, accounting, human resources, and other common roles as they relate to the aviation industry.
Career Options:
Where Can You Work:
Prerequisites:
Where to Train:
Vocational colleges or business programs through a post secondary institution.
Length of Training:
Depending on the particular role, training can range from a few months to a number of years.
Skills Needed:
Cost of training:
Prices can be found at local colleges or training institutions. Depending on career path, on the job training may be available or equivalent experience will be considered in place of education.
Average Starting Salary:
$40,000 – $65,000 per year
Average Max Salary:
$150,000 per year
Additional Information:
A willingness to relocate helps but is not required for all jobs. There are plenty of jobs that allow you to be home most nights and plenty that will have you travelling the world. The path you choose is up to you!
Flight operations offers a variety of exciting and dynamic positions where no two days are alike. Generally flight operations are responsible for the daily operations of an airlines control centre, and ensuring that delays are minimised by assigning appropriate aircraft and personnelle. The role includes management of technical and operational factors such as weather, landing and overflight permits, route planning, performance, facilities, technical conditions.
Career Options:
Where Can You Work:
Prerequisites:
Training Required:
Where to Train:
Register at any flight school or college. Training consists of a combination of ground school and in-flight training.
Length of Training:
Depending on the program, the average is between 2 weeks to 1 year
Skills Needed:
Ability to make critical decisions with limited information Ability to work shift rotation Communication skills Computer Skills Attention to detail and accuracy
Cost of training:
Dependent upon position, on the job training can be included or you can pursue diploma or degree to further your career.
Average Starting Salary:
$30,000 – $60,000 per year
Average Max Salary:
$110,000 per year
Additional Information:
A willingness to relocate helps but is not required for all jobs. There are plenty of jobs that allow you to be home most nights and plenty that will have you travelling the world. The path you choose is up to you!
A career as a pilot has many opportunities but also several things to consider such as the cost of training, the willingness to relocate and the ranges in salary.
In Canada only 6% of all private pilots and 4.5% of airline pilots are women!
Career Options:
Where Can You Work:
Prerequisites:
Training Required:
Additional Ratings as Desired:
Where to Train:
Register at any flight school or college. Training consists of a combination of ground school and in-flight training.
Length of Training:
Depending on the program, the average is between 1- 4 years
Skills Needed:
Cost of training:
Varies, but from start to finish averages at a $50,000 minimum. This could be higher depending on how often you can fly and which ratings you complete. The closer your flights are together, the more hours can be reduced to complete your training. The additional ratings you choose can add to the price as well.
Salaries range significantly depending on the pilot career chosen.
Average Starting Salary (Airline Pilot): $60,000 – $88,000 per year
Average Max Salary (Airline Pilot): $125,000 per year
Additional Information:
A willingness to relocate helps but is not required for all jobs. There are plenty of jobs that allow you to be home most nights and plenty that will have you traveling the world. The path you choose is up to you!
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