Photo by Emily Chatwood / myFM News
The First Nations Technical Institute is receiving $75,000 from the Ontario government to strengthen aviation safety and support its flight training programs.
Hastings-Lennox and Addington MPP Ric Bresee announced the funding Wednesday through Ontario’s Indigenous Transportation Initiatives Fund.
The money will create a 12-month Safety Management Lead position at FNTI. The employee will track safety hazards, improve readiness and help support air transportation services connecting Indigenous communities across Ontario.
The position will also help FNTI develop and integrate Safety Management Systems standards into its fixed-wing and new rotary-wing flight training programs. The work is intended to help the institute meet Transport Canada requirements and prepare for more complex flight operations planned to begin in September.
Ontario is providing up to $586,768 to eight Indigenous communities and organizations through this year’s transportation fund.
The Indigenous Transportation Initiatives Fund supports projects aimed at improving transportation safety, supporting economic growth and keeping people and goods moving.
FNTI officials say the investment will help build a stronger safety culture among aviation students while supporting future Indigenous aviation professionals and expanding the institute’s flight training capacity.
