The Qantas Group Engineering Academy has selected the Queensland Government’s Aviation Australia to train up to 300 aircraft engineers a year in Brisbane and Melbourne, creating a talent pipeline to meet the aviation industry’s rapid growth and boosting the state’s economy.
As part of the collaboration, the Qantas Group Engineering Academy will open in Brisbane and Melbourne with the first students to start training at both centres in 2025, the government revealed in a media statement.
The academy will train engineers for the Qantas Group as well as the larger aviation industry, including general aviation and defence contractors, with a focus on increasing the number of female engineers.
Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said Qantas’ decision highlights Queensland’s expertise, which will further grow once training begins in Brisbane and Melbourne.
“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to creating jobs and this exciting partnership with Qantas is another step towards achieving our shared vision of a strong and skilled workforce for Queensland,” the minister said.
The Army Aviation Centre at Oakey and Australia’s main Defence airbase at Amberley are located in Queensland, and the minister hailed Aviation Australia’s Brisbane facilities as cutting-edge and functional.
“It will help address skills shortages in the nation’s aviation industry, support growth in both the civilian and defence sectors and create sustainable jobs well into the future,” Di Farmer said.
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said the academy will provide “world-class training” for Australian engineers.
“The Engineering Academy is part of a massive commitment in training that will create a pipeline of talent for the Qantas Group and Australian aviation,” Joyce said.
Bill Horrocks, CEO of Aviation Australia, said that the Qantas Group Engineering Academy will play a significant role in addressing the engineering skills shortages in the Australian aviation industry.
“Selecting Aviation Australia as Qantas’ training partner for the Academy recognises the important role that we play as the nation’s premier aircraft maintenance engineering training provider,” Horrocks said.
He added, “Our training facilities will provide students with the day-to-day experience of a working hangar, as well as supervised training on aircraft, for a seamless transition into operational environments.”
Aviation Australia, founded in 2001 by the Queensland government, promotes the development and growth of the aviation and aerospace industry in both domestic and international markets.
Aviation Australia’s Brisbane facilities are cutting-edge, providing students with a combination of classroom and real-world training situations.
