SkyAlyne is proud to announce the launch of the SkyAlyne Indigenous Scholarships Program, a new initiative designed to support post-secondary Indigenous students in fields of study that contribute to Canada’s future aerospace, aviation, and defence workforce, in alignment with the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program.

“SkyAlyne recognizes that meaningful participation begins with investing in people,” says Kevin Lemke, general manager of SkyAlyne. “As we continue building Canada’s Future Aircrew Training system, we are committed to creating opportunities that support Indigenous students and help strengthen the talent pipeline for the aerospace and defence sectors. Through the SkyAlyne Indigenous Scholarships program, we hope to empower students to pursue their educational goals and contribute to the future of Canadian aerospace.”

This new program reflects SkyAlyne’s commitment to reconciliation, Indigenous participation, and building capacity within communities connected to the FAcT program. Through financial support for tuition and/or living expenses, the program aims to help remove barriers to higher education and create opportunities for Indigenous students to pursue rewarding careers in aerospace, aviation, and defence.

The scholarships will focus on prioritizing Indigenous students from Manitoba and Saskatchewan studying in, or accepted into, post-secondary institutions who demonstrate financial need and are enrolled in programs that support career pathways associated with the FAcT program and the broader aerospace, aviation and defence sectors. Indigenous students from other parts of Canada will be considered as well.

Examples of relevant career pathways include:

• Flight Instructor
  • Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME)
  • Air Traffic Controller (ATC)
  • Courseware Developer
  • Emerging pathways programs related to or supporting careers in aerospace, aviation, and defence training

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Identify as a First Nations, Metis, or Inuit person (with preference to those in Saskatchewan or Manitoba)
• Demonstrate financial need in support of their educational goals
• Be enrolled at a post-secondary institution
• Be enrolled in a field of study aligned with the FAcT program, related to or supporting careers in aerospace, aviation or defence

The FAcT program will prepare the next generation of Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Pilots and Aircrew. As part of its commitment to delivering long-term benefits for Canadians, SkyAlyne continues to invest in workforce development, skills training, and opportunities that support the future of Canada’s aerospace and defence industries.

“The 25-year length of the FAcT program enables SkyAlyne to work with Indigenous communities and students to support true capacity building over the long-term. We are excited at the possibility of seeing individuals who are kids today grow up, get their education, and join industry – all in support of the FAcT program,” concluded Lemke.

Applications for the SkyAlyne Indigenous Scholarships Program are now open for Winter 2027. Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET on November 18, 2026.

For more details, and to apply, visit the SkyAlyne Indigenous Scholarships Program page: https://skyalyne.ca/building-canada/indigenous-scholarship-program/

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ABOUT

SkyAlyne: The Future of Aircrew Training

SkyAlyne is a team of defence, training, simulation, and aviation industry experts assembled from across Canada, working to prepare the next generation of Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Pilots and Aircrew as the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program provider. SkyAlyne was formed in 2018 as a partnership between CAE and KF Aerospace, two Canadian aviation, training, and defence leaders. The partnership was built to jointly answer the call for the Government of Canada’s FAcT program. In spring 2024, SkyAlyne was officially contracted to partner with the RCAF and deliver the FAcT program.

Learn more: SkyAlyne.ca

MEDIA CONTACT

Harrison Ruess
Head of Communications, Collaboration, and Stakeholder Relations
H.Ruess@SkyAlyne.ca

SCHOLARSHIPS CONTACT:

scholarships@SkyAlyne.ca