Greater Victoria's aerospace industry is pulling back the hangar doors next weekend as it goes in search of the next generation of workers.

The Victoria Airport Authority and the B.C. Aviation Museum have teamed up to present a career fair Feb. 18 for students looking for a path into the world of the wild blue yonder.

"We are attempting to create a forum where highschool students interested in aviation as a career can meet employers and educators who can get them on track to be trained for those careers," said Stephen Gordon, president of the museum. "This is designed to show them what's involved."

The career expo will feature displays and exhibits from companies such as Viking Air, which produces the de Havilland Twin Otter aircraft; Westjet; Victoria Flying Club; Department of National Defence; and a number of post-secondary education institutions.

"The hope is this will be an aid for students to help them understand what's involved in becoming part of this industry," said Gordon, who said schools across the Island have been notified.

"It's also about showing young people the range of opportunities available in the industry," added Terry Stewart of the Victoria Airport Authority. "We are big supporters of the aviation industry in Victoria, and we're involved because a lot of our tenants are looking for first-rate people for the next generation."

The career expo, the first of what will become an annual event, will run from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. next Saturday at the B.C. Aviation Museum in Sidney, 1910 Norseman Rd.