Jazz Aviation and Seneca College renew Pilot Cadet Program for top-performing students

HALIFAX, Dec. 22, 2015 /CNW/ - Jazz Aviation LP ("Jazz") is pleased to announce a renewed agreement with Seneca College's ("Seneca") School of Aviation and their highly successful Pilot Cadet Program. First signed in 2012, this industry-leading program includes collaboration on training and curriculum, and the continued opportunity for top-performing Seneca graduates to transition to first officer positions at Jazz.

"Jazz's longstanding partnership with Seneca is an important source of reliable, high-quality new hire pilots," said Steve Linthwaite, Jazz's Vice President of Flight Operations. "Investing in pathway programs like these is part of the reason Jazz has been identified as one of the top employers in Canada for young people."

Following completion of the third year of their Aviation degree, a group of top performing students are selected as Jazz Cadets and evaluated on professionalism, discipline and both flight and academic performance during their fourth year. Upon completion of the degree program, the Jazz Cadets undergo a comprehensive review and simulator evaluation at Jazz. Only Cadets meeting the qualification and hiring standards consistent with Jazz hiring policies will be offered employment opportunities.

"Our collaboration with Jazz Aviation has allowed us to continuously improve our training program and provide graduates with direct-entry career opportunities at Canada's largest regional airline," said Lynne McMullen, Director of Business Development, Seneca School of Aviation.

"We are delighted to continue to strengthen our academic relationship with Jazz with this premiere pathway for aspiring airline pilots."  

About Jazz Aviation LP

Jazz Aviation LP has a strong history in Canadian aviation with its roots going back to the 1930s. Jazz is owned by Chorus Aviation Inc. As the largest regional carrier in Canada, Jazz has a proven track record of industry leadership and exceptional customer service, and has leveraged that strength to deliver value to all its stakeholders. Jazz operates more flights and flies to more Canadian destinations than any other airline, and has a workforce of approximately 4200 professionals, highly experienced in the challenging and complex nature of regional operations.

There are two airline divisions operated by Jazz Aviation LP: Air Canada Express and Jazz.

Air Canada Express: Under a capacity purchase agreement with Air Canada, Jazz provides service to and from lower-density markets as well as higher-density markets at off-peak times throughout North America with a fleet of 117 Canadian-made Bombardier aircraft.

Jazz: Under the Jazz brand, the airline offers charters throughout North America with a dedicated fleet of Bombardier aircraft for corporate clients, governments, special interest groups and individuals seeking more convenience. Jazz also has the ability to offer airline operators services such as ground handling, dispatching, flight load planning, training and consulting.

For more information, visit www.flyjazz.ca.

About Seneca Aviation

Seneca's Bachelor of Aviation Technology program is the only one of its kind in Canada. It provides a rigorous aviation technology-based curriculum and the application of this theory to aviation. The breadth of knowledge and skills prepares students to operate a complex aircraft in a multi-crew environment, to understand the technologies and human factors that affect the successful operation of an aircraft and to assume the professional responsibility associated with being a commercial pilot. Students also learn about business management, airport operations and planning, and air carrier administration to gain a broad perspective of the aviation industry and ultimately gain access to a greater variety of careers in the industry.www.senecacollege.ca/aviation

SOURCE Jazz

For further information: Media Contacts: Teri Udle, [phone], Halifax, NS, [e-mail]; Manon Stuart, [phone], Halifax, NS, [e-mail]; Lisa Pires, [phone], Markham, ON, [e-mail]