Aircraft avionics technicians are responsible for the servicing, repair and modification of aircraft electronic systems and components. Today's aircraft can be quite sophisticated with "fly by wire" flight controls, satellite navigation and communication, in-flight entertainment, and automatic flight, as well as communication and monitoring systems. An avionics technician's tasks include: * Ensuring that navigation, communication, radar, and other electronic and computer instruments and controls comply with standard operating procedures; * Performing maintenance on aircraft during scheduled inspections; * Troubleshooting and repairing aircraft discrepancies in compliance with manufacturer's standards to expedite return to flight status; and * Overhauling and/or repairing parts and assemblies. The Program The program consists of 48 weeks of full-time studies. Approximately 50 per cent of the day is spent on theory discussions in a classroom setting, followed by hands-on practical training in the shops and hangar located at BCIT's state of the art Aerospace Technology Campus. The program is designed to follow a national/international set of standards and is approved by Transport Canada (TC), the Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace (CCAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Successful completion of the program will result in a work experience credit of 18 months (of the 48 months) required by Transport Canada to obtain an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Category E license. Successful graduation from this program may qualify you for national certification from Transport Canada and the Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council. Students who complete the avionics program starting in August 2009 will also be credited with completion of the basic training requirement for the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) B2 certification.

Opportunities are available across Canada in aircraft manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul establishments and by airlines and other aircraft operators. Despite the recent economic difficulties, industry demand for more skilled workers, particularly in the maintenance sector is growing. At the same time, an aging workforce will begin to retire in increasing numbers in the near future. According to the Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace (CCAA), a shortage of skilled workers across the maintenance sub-sector is expected to last through to 2015. Industry Policies Industry policies with respect to hiring practices vary between employers, but all require an enhanced security clearance for their employees. Graduate employment outcomes The following link takes you to graduate outcome survey results containing mostly labour market results from the 2010-2012 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2009-2011 Graduates. Note: The survey results will be displayed in a separate browser window. To view these results, you need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader1 installed in your Web browser.