Aircraft Maintenance Technician learner starts career ahead of convocation

Posted on Wednesday, June 24th, 2026

Algonquin College’s Spring 2026 Convocation ceremony is taking place from June 23 to June 26 at the Canadian Tire Centre. During the event, the College will celebrate thousands of soon-to-be graduates who are prepared to make their mark in their chosen fields.

Among these people is Aidan Gower of the Aircraft Maintenance Technician program. Gower began his path to the aviation industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, following an opportunity to work as a ground handler at Calgary International Airport. Working around pilots, air traffic controllers and maintenance crews made him realize that aviation was his future.

“As soon as I got into the airport and started talking with the people in the industry, I knew that I wanted to begin a career in aviation,” said Gower. “I’ve always been mechanically inclined, so [this is] the road I went with.”

While several colleges across the country offer aircraft maintenance programs, Gower believed that Algonquin College’s strong reputation and intimate class sizes, as well as family connections in Ottawa, made it the obvious choice.

 

“Algonquin takes I think about 40 students per class, instead of [other colleges] that take in hundreds,” said Gower. “Having the ability to be in partners, doing labs and get way more hands-on experience, with the professors right there, is so much better.”

Gower moved from Alberta to Ontario specifically to enrol at the College. He credits the faculty and learning environment for giving him the tools, skills and knowledge to thrive in the working world.

“The aircraft industry is so small, and our professors have experience across so many areas,” he said. “They know how to best set you up for interviews or for where to apply, what you should expect, things like that.”

One of the highlights of the program for Gower was attending the Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Association of Ontario Conference, where he had the chance to meet industry professionals, interact with employers and participate in skills competitions.

“Dan [Maslow], our program coordinator, made sure our schedule was open for us to attend,” said Gower. “We had the chance to talk to all sorts of different employers and learn more about job opportunities.”

Gower plans to continue his experience in the industry and work toward his Aircraft Maintenance Engineer licence. He will soon begin specialized training on the Boeing 737 Next Generation and MAX aircrafts, which will help get his foot in the door with major Canadian airlines.

“I’d like to get into an airline like WestJet or Air Canada, get my engineering licence and maybe move into leadership roles,” he said. “Eventually I’d also be interested in teaching if an opportunity comes up.”

Gower’s advice for fellow graduates is to pursue work that genuinely interests them.

“There’s a quote that says if you choose a job you love, you’ll never work a day in your life,” said Gower. “The passion I have for it outweighs getting up at four in the morning and going until past dinner.”

Gower’s dedication and commitment to his craft have built a foundation for a successful career in aviation. Like so many of the students who will be crossing the stage this spring, he is a shining example of the College’s mission of transforming hopes and dreams into lifelong success.


Comments

Comments are closed.