In Canada, reports shared that over the period of 2022-2031, new job openings are expected to total 8,900. This signals a demand in the market for a competitive labor force to be filled.
But before you hop on the plane, you should know that being a flight attendant takes more than passion and drive. To be an excellent flight attendant means investing in time, academic preparations, training, and personal skills improvements.
Check out this 6-step guide on how to become a flight attendant.
Steps to Become a Flight Attendant
1. Complete Your Education
Completing your education is your stepping stone before you soar as a flight attendant. Thus, it is important to invest in your education to obtain a flight attendant diploma. The minimum requirement is a high school diploma. However, obtaining degrees in courses such as tourism, communications, human relations, and any related field can give you a significant advantage in becoming an attractive candidate to airlines.
2. Gain Relevant Work Experience
In any industry, having work experience is an added appeal to your portfolio. As with various airlines in Canada, candidates with customer service experience are one step ahead of other applicants. Jobs in retail, hospitality, or any role that requires you to work in a fast-paced environment and solve problems quickly are beneficial. Aside from that, having that first-hand experience will equip you with the ability to handle the pressure and demands the flight attendant’s job requires.
3. Build a Strong Resume
After completing your education and relevant experience, it’s time to create a strong resume. The key is to highlight your experiences, including customer service, volunteer work, and any positions where you worked long hours or dealt with a diverse range of people. Be sure to emphasize the necessary skills pertinent to a flight attendant’s role, such as interpersonal skills, problem-solving abilities, and physical stamina.
4. Ace the Job Interview
After your resume catches their attention, it’s crucial to ace the interview. Canadian airlines conduct thorough interviews to select top candidates. Besides interviews, the recruitment process includes essential screenings such as drug tests, criminal background checks, and health exams. Prepare for both personal and video interviews to showcase that you have what it takes to be a flight attendant.
5. Time to Complete Your Training
At this point, congratulations are in order! You passed the hiring process. Here, you must complete a rigorous flight attendant training program, which can last between three and six weeks. This will cover important aspects, including aviation terminologies, aircraft information, customer service, laws and ethics, emergency procedures, safety protocols, and other routines.
Some institutions and colleges in Vancouver Canada offer a specialized Flight Attendant Preparation Program. This program emphasizes safety procedures, service excellence, and industry-specific knowledge, preparing graduates for fulfilling careers in aviation and other related fields such as ground services and customer support roles at airports.
For one, Eton College Canada offers a variety of flight attendant courses for aspiring students. Under this program, you can further understand world geography, time zones, airport codes, an introduction to aviation history, the structure of the airline industry, knowledge of safety equipment and handling emergencies, as well as conducting security checks and managing incidents.
Aside from learning tourism and aviation theories and other instructional training, the Flight Attendant Program also lets you experience mock flight exercises to apply acquired knowledge, best practices, emergency protocols, and learned safety and service in-flight procedures.
And to get real-world experience in aviation, the Flight Attendant Preparation Program also requires students to get hands-on experience through co-op experience. Practical training often engages students to work together with various organizations in the tourism and aviation industry.
Also, enrolling in a specialized Flight Attendant Preparation Program can help you explore various career opportunities, not just as a flight attendant but also as an airport ground service operator, customer service manager, cruise ship executive, reservation sales agent, retail supervisor, sales manager, small business owner/operator, or special events coordinator.
The average annual salary of a Flight Attendant Diploma is quite competitive in the market. On average, flight attendants in Canada can comfortably earn $52,000 annually. Other tourism and aviation industry positions can even earn higher. Regional chefs for airlines on average can earn $83,040 annually while casino managers on cruise ships and hotel accommodation service managers annually earn $95,830 and $69,500 respectively.
To enroll in this specialized program, applicants must provide a valid photo ID or birth certificate and hold a high school diploma or be at least 19 years of age (with parental consent if under 19). Medical insurance coverage is also required. Applicants must meet English proficiency requirements, which can be demonstrated through various standardized test scores or equivalent qualifications.
The cost of a flight attendant program includes tuition fees of $14,000 for domestic students and $16,000 for international students. In addition, other fees include a $150 application fee, $50 for textbooks, $235 for course materials, and $1,500 for other expenses.
6. Enhance Skills Through Annual Training
As the saying goes, learning doesn’t stop when you graduate. It is a must for successful flight attendants to do annual training to make sure that their certifications are up-to-date. Not only would it make you reliable and qualified for the role, it ensures that you are updated with the latest safety and service protocols and standards.
Ready to take the leap and explore a career in the airline industry? Getting the right education and enrolling in a specialized Flight Attendant Preparation Program will make you one step ahead toward offering excellent customer service as a future flight attendant. Whether you’re beginning with a high school diploma or seeking to advance your qualifications with a flight attendant diploma, remember to prepare thoroughly and bring your dedication to this thrilling career.
