The Elevate Aviation Group

Women’s Employment Skills Training (WEST)

A powerful image of women focused on gaining valuable employment skills through WEST Women's Employment Skills Training.

Elevate Aviation Learning Centre is proud to offer our proven 9 week program, specially tailored to empower women and provide them with a comprehensive introduction to essential careers within the aviation industry.

What is WEST?

Women’s Employment Skills Training (WEST) is a 9 week, fully funded program that will build your skills, grow your confidence, and prepare you to work in today’s evolving aviation industry. This program is for all women and women identifying groups looking for a safe space to learn.

Workplace Essential Skill Development

With a focus on building your natural talents, this program will offer essential skills fine-tuning, safety and aviation certifications, behind the scenes hands-on experiences and in-person guest speakers to increase your knowledge and share the importance of women in aviation.

WEST Program Highlights

  • Fully Funded
  • Earn Safety Certifications
  • PPE and Proper Work Attire
  • Employment Opportunities
  • Long-Term Mentorship
  • One Week Hands-On Aviation Career Exploration

ELEVATE AVIATION WEST PROJECT

Women’s Employment Skills Training (WEST)

The WEST program seeks to recruit women from Alberta to introduce them to the vast career opportunities in the aviation industry. Training will be delivered through both in person and virtual learning models where we will baseline test essential skills and with a focus on Skills for Success, learners will understand how these skills are transferable to careers in aviation.

Pre-employment and skills development supports.

These supports include foundational and transferable skills training including those within the Skills for Success Model and those specific to the industry.

We are accepting all women who reside in Alberta and who meet the program criteria; however, if you are Indigenous, from a rural setting, are racialized or have prolonged detachment from the workforce, we would specifically like to hear from you! 

Women’s Employment Skills Training and Aviation Career Exploration will provide individualized essential skills and development training to Indigenous and racialized women, and women with a prolonged detachment from the labour force.

Program Details

Start Dates: 

2023

Cohort Golf: Oct 16-Dec 15/23

2024

Cohort Hotel: Jan 8-Mar 8/24

Cohort India: Mar 11-May 17/24

Cohort Juliet: May 20-Jul 19/24

Cohort Kilo: Jul 15-Aug 23/24 (Summer School for high school and post secondary students)

Cohort Lima: Sep 3-Nov 1/24

Cohort Mike: Nov 4-Jan 17/25

 

2025

Cohort November: Jan 20-Mar 21/25

Session Information

Session Duration: 9 weeks 

Participants: 18 individuals per session

Format: Virtual and in person

Venue: Elevate Aviation Learning Centre at the Edmonton International Airport

Program Topics

  • 9 Skills for Success

  • Aviation Language Proficiency

  • Safety Certification Training 

  • Professional Aviation Guest Speakers

  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training

  • Industry Networking Opportunities

  • Aviation Career Exploration

9 Skills for Success

The programming in the WEST program will be focused around the 9 Skills for Success, which are 9 foundational skill sets that employers have identified as being essential to employee success within the workplace.

The 9 Skills for Success are in bold, and below them are examples of workshops that may be used to enhance those skills:

Communication

Effective Listening

Conflict Resolution

Interview Skills 

Mock Interviews

Creativity & Innovation

How to Create Effective Presentations 

Job Task Management 

Maintaining Work Life Balance

Staying Motivated

Problem Solving

Goal Setting 

Change Management

Developing a Growth Mindset

Reading

Article Review 

Effective Job Search

Expanding Your Vocabulary

Digital

Google Docs 101

Microsoft Office Suite

Typing Speed

Create an Effective Linkedin Profile

Collaboration

Teambuilding 

Networking 

Group Presentations

Adaptability

Change Management

Time Management and Organization 

Public Speaking 

Transferable Skills

Writing

How to Write a Resume 

How to Write a Cover Letter

Professional Communication

Numeracy

 Basic Math

Budgeting

How to use Excel/Google Sheets

In addition below are some of the trainings that may be offered:

  • WHMIS
  • First Aid & CPR
  • Restricted Operator Permit – A (Aeronautical)
  • Aviation Language Proficiency 
  • Fire Safety & Extinguisher
  • OHS Legislation Awareness 
  • PPE Training
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training
  • Positive Space Training
Woman smiling and working on a plane

Wrap Around Supports

Our goal is to remove as many barriers to entry into the aviation industry as possible. We will engage with you to determine whether there would be anything to prevent you from being able to participate in our program and make all attempts to lift these barriers. Additional supports available including emergency assistance, dependent care, housing, transportation, and work appropriate clothing

Long Term Career Planning and Support

smiling woman with a plane behind her

By joining this program, you become part of the Elevate Aviation Learning Centre community to ensure you feel prepared for the workplace in every way.

Supports such as resume and cover letter writing, proper work attire including PPE, introductions to potential employers and access to long term mentorship opportunities are offered to ensure your long term success.

Registration inquiry form

Thank you for your interest in Elevate Aviation Learning Centre (EALC)! Please note that upon submitting this inquiry form, you will receive important instructions on how to complete your application via email. To ensure that you receive these instructions promptly, we kindly ask that you add the Elevate Aviation Learning Centre (admissions@elevateaviation.ca) to your safe sender list, and check your spam or junk inbox if you do not see our email in your primary inbox. 

Participant Testimonials

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acronym WEST? 

Women’s Employment Skills Training

Who is this program for? 

People who identify as women

What is WEST?

WEST is a 9-week employment program for women that offers an introduction to a variety of aviation careers.

Do I have to relocate for WEST?

No! You must live in Alberta to attend the WEST Program. WEST is in-person for all learners in the Greater Edmonton Area, and virtual for learners in other parts of Alberta. If you are outside of the Greater Edmonton Area, the first 8 weeks of the program are completed online, and the final week of the program will be in person in Edmonton for our Aviation Career Exploration week.

What is the age requirement for this program?

There is no age requirement, however, you must be able to attend the program full-time for 9 weeks.

Do I need 100% attendance to complete the program?

Attendance is an important part of your success in the program. Our expectation is that no more than 3 days of learning are missed. We understand that life happens – your Elevate Aviation Learning Centre support team will work with you to support your learning experience.

What is the cost? 

Free! This program is fully funded by the Government of Alberta.

How many hours per day?

Classes will run Monday through Friday 0900-1500, however times are subject to change; Aviation is a 24/7 industry!

What will I learn?

Our program is built around the 9 Skills for Success as outlined by Employment and Social Development Canada. You will hone these skills and gain an understanding of how they are applied in various aviation careers. You will meet aviation professionals who will share what a day in the life at the airport looks like, feels like and sounds like and then you will spend a week behind the scenes exploring those careers in person.

Do I need experience in aviation to attend?

No! That is what we are here for!

What type of training and certifications will I receive?

  • WHMIS
  • First Aid & CPR
  • Radio Operators License
  • Fire Safety & Extinguisher
  • OHS Legislation Awareness
  • PPE Training
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training
  • Safe Space Training
  • CASAP – Canadian Airport Security Awareness Program

What if I already have a certification listed above, do I need to take the course again?

Our Career Coach will work with you on a case by case basis.

What should I expect after I complete the program?

At the completion of the 9 week WEST program you will feel confident with the knowledge, certifications and equipment required to enter the world of aviation!

Will I be guaranteed a job after completion of the program?

Through your training we will do our best to equip you with all the tools, support and mentorship needed to launch your career! You will be introduced to aviation companies that are actively hiring, however, the rest is up to you to secure employment.

What types of jobs are in aviation?

Aviation provides varied career opportunities – Passenger Service Agents, Ramp Handling, Pilot, Flight Attendant, Security and Air Traffic Control – just to name a few! See our Aviation Career page for more information.

What supports are available to me?

We are here to help you succeed in this program. Our Intake Advisors are happy to discuss any barriers you may face while attending WEST.

I don’t own a computer, will one be supplied to me?

If required, you will be supplied with a laptop, mouse, headphones, mouse-pad and notebook. At the end of the program you are responsible to return all equipment in working order.

How do I apply? 

  1. Complete the inquiry form above

  2. You will be sent an automatic email reply with links to the following application documents: Application Form, Career Investigation Report (CIR) and Budget

  3. Once all three (3) documents have been completed, you will be invited by one of our Assessment Advisors to schedule an Intake Meeting

What is the security clearance check?
 
To be employed at any Canadian airport in an airside capacity (working around the planes in the restricted areas), you will need to pass a security clearance check called the Restricted Area Identity Card (RAIC). You can find more information about the RAIC here (Transport Canada website). Please DO NOT apply for a RAIC when applying for our programs. The RAIC is only required after being hired for an airport position.
 
To be eligible for our programs, you must be aware of your ability to pass a security clearance check. If you are unsure if you would pass the check, please email admissions@elevataviation.ca, and we can discuss your circumstances for applying.