YELLOWKNIFE (June 14, 2012) – The Aviation Career Development Program (ACDP) is now receiving applications for 15 $5,000 scholarships to support full-time training in an aviation-related career. The studies can be related to airline or airport operations or management, aircraft maintenance, and pilot training.

Eligible applicants will have resided in Northwest Territories and/or Nunavut consistently for a minimum of two years, and they must demonstrate they have been at least conditionally accepted in a full-time aviation-related program.

First Air has just become the fifth airline partner of this scholarship program, and they have also joined the employment component of ACDP, offering the possibility of summer and long-term employment to current and former ACDP scholarship winners.

“First Air is proud to be the only Inuit owned airline to participate in this exciting career development program,” said Kris Dolinki, President and CEO of First Air.  “Supporting training, development and education in the North is one of our top priorities.  We look forward to continuing to support Northern youth reach their career goals and to providing ACDP participants with employment opportunities in the aviation industry.”

NWT Transportation Minister David Ramsay welcomes the news of First Air’s addition to the airline sponsors of the program.

“The exciting thing about ACDP has always been that it has been able to respond to the needs of our aviation community, adapting to ensure more and more northern workers are employed in our northern aviation industry,” said Ramsay. “First Air’s involvement will improve prospects for northern aviation employees, and will help ensure the aviation industry in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut remains strong.”

Nunavut’s Economic Development & Transportation Minister Peter Taptuna is also pleased with the prospects that this program brings.

“One of the Government of Nunavut’s goals is to develop the aviation workforce in Nunavut,” said Minister Taptuna. “Having First Air on board will help accomplish this. I encourage people to apply for the $5,000 scholarships and take advantage of the employment opportunities through the program.”

The application deadline for the 2012-2013 school year is Friday, July 27, 2012. The scholarship can be used for studies beginning after August 1, 2012 and completed before August 31, 2013. For more information about the ACDP program, please visit http://bit.ly/ACDPscholarship.