Airbus Foundation Flying Challenge launched in Mirabel to interest local young people in aeronautics

Flagship program comes to Quebec through partnership with Mirabel Youth Centres Association

The first Canadian edition of the Airbus Foundation Flying Challenge has been launched in Québec, in partnership with the Mirabel Youth Centres Association – bringing the total number of sites conducting this flagship program of the Airbus Foundation to 17 worldwide.

The Airbus Foundation Flying Challenge is a youth activity and mentoring program involving 50 local students to interest them in aerospace and raise their awareness about training and future employment opportunities in the field.

"We are very proud to be launching the first ever Airbus Foundation Flying Challenge in Canada here in Mirabel, next door to the A220 partnership headquarters," said Philippe Balducchi, Head of Airbus Canada and CEO of the A220 Partnership. "The Flying Challenge offers a fantastic opportunity to A220 employees to engage with young people from our local community by providing them with support and inspiration on their educational journeys." 

The planned first year of activities of the Mirabel Airbus Foundation Flying Challenge include visits by participating youth accompanied by local Airbus employees to the A220 final assembly line in Mirabel, to the École nationale d'aérotechnique (ÉNA) in St-Hubert and the Cosmodôme in Laval. There will also be various conferences and workshops including STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities. Another important aspect of the Airbus Foundation Flying Challenge is to create mentoring opportunities between Airbus employees and local young people who are potentially interested in a career in some aspects of aeronautics.

"The Airbus Foundation is committed to bringing together all of its resources to help address the challenges of society today and tomorrow. One of our most important projects is the Airbus Foundation Flying Challenge to engage young people and encourage both personal and professional growth through STEM activities," said Andrea Debbané, Executive Director of the Airbus Foundation. "We are very pleased to be expanding the Airbus Foundation Flying Challenge with this program in Mirabel to add to those already operating in France, Germany, Spain, the UK, the USA and Brazil."

Thanks to CDN$45,000 in funding from the Airbus Foundation, the Mirabel program will be managed by the Mirabel Youth Centres Association, which operates six youth centres throughout the Mirabel community. The Association also recruits the participants.

"We are very excited to be able to offer the Airbus Foundation Flying Challenge and its stimulating activities to the young people of Mirabel and we thank the Airbus Foundation for bringing this opportunity to our community," said Sabrina Abdeddaim, Director General of the Mirabel Youth Centres Association. "We are sure these fun but very educational STEM activities will inspire some young people to consider seriously what they need to do to pursue one of the many possible careers in aerospace."

Running since 2011, the Airbus Foundation Flying Challenge has reached more than 4,800 students worldwide and involved over 1,900 Airbus employee volunteers. The program is now operating out of 17 locations across seven countries.

About the Mirabel Youth Centres Association
The Mirabel Youth Centres Association is dedicated to developing, promoting and defending the needs of youth in Mirabel with the goal of developing their personal, social, economic and professional autonomy. The Association has three different programs to promote the health and well-being of youths in the regional municipality of Mirabel: operating six youth centres in Saint-Augustin, Saint-Benoît, Saint-Canut, Saint-Hermas, Saint-Janvier and Sainte-Scholastique; operating the Travail de rue à Mirabel (TRAM) program with two youth workers; and the Projet CJT (Coopératives jeunesse au travail) to help integrate youths into the labour market. https://mdjmirabel.ca/

About the Airbus Foundation
The Airbus Foundation, chaired by Tom Enders, CEO of Airbus, includes Airbus, Airbus Helicopters and Airbus Defence and Space as founding and contributing members. It is the company's vehicle for corporate philanthropy, using the group's resources, aeronautics and space products, competencies, diverse workforce and culture for driving innovation to address societal issues. In particular, the Foundation supports the global humanitarian community and inspires and prepares young people for the challenges of tomorrow. Since its launch in May 2008, the Airbus Foundation has facilitated more than 60 relief or goodwill flights to numerous destinations around the globe. More information can be found at http://company.airbus.com/company/Foundation.html.