Cold Lake, AB – The City of Cold Lake, in partnership with Portage College, will fund the creation of its Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) School, with a target of having students enrolled in the program by the fall of 2026.

“This last step takes our plans and makes them a reality,” Mayor Craig Copeland said. “There is still a lot of work to do, but the bottom line is that we have the funding needed to complete it. Portage College’s Aerospace Campus will begin to take shape at the Cold Lake Regional Airport.”

At a meeting early in September, Council approved the move of just over $1.4 million dollars from a 2018 Capital Budget item that sought to create a new terminal building at 4 Wing to the AME project. This move came after the Portage College has approved $442,000 in capital funding towards the project.

Portage College welcomed the news about the City of Cold Lake's further commitment to supporting the AME-S training program. With this backing, the program is gaining the momentum it needs for a 2026 start.

"We are proud to contribute funding for the equipment and have already submitted the curriculum for approval to Transport Canada as part of our efforts. I personally want to extend my thanks to the Mayor, Council, and Administration of the City of Cold Lake for their forward-thinking and dedication in partnering with the College to bring this opportunity to the region," said Portage College President Nancy Broadbent.

The City of Cold Lake and Portage College have worked to purchase the needed curriculum and have found the space needed after the City of Cold Lake purchased a hangar at the Cold Lake Regional Airport in July this year. The funding allocated to the project will ensure that the hangar is renovated into instructional space. It will also help purchase the tools and equipment needed to deliver the curriculum.

“We have aviation and defence contractors doing business here on 4 Wing, a strong veteran workforce, a soon-to-be modernized Air Weapons Range nearby, and a very healthy aviation culture in our community,” Copeland said. “This school will help the aviation industry establish itself to a grater degree, while also providing an excellent option for post secondary education right here at home. It’s an exciting step forward that will help support our economic diversification and growth from a number of angles.”

The City of Cold Lake and Portage College continue to work towards establishing the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering School with a target starting date in the fall of 2026 and an initial class size of approximately 16 students.

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