Aviation Australia, Cairns Airport launch nation-first skills training program

A nation-first aviation training initiative developed in Far North Queensland, will launch Cairns high school students to new career pathways in the region’s aerospace sector.

The FNQ Vocational Academy has partnered with Aviation Australia to develop an Australian first course for students to begin a career in the aviation industry. Cairns Airport chief executive Richard Barker, Aviation Australia Business Manager for North Queensland Chris Pigott, and Trinity Bay State High School executive principal Tony Whybird discuss the new initiative for senior students at the Cairns Airport domestic terminal. Picture: Brendan Radke

An Australia-first aviation training initiative developed in Far North Queensland will connect Cairns secondary students to new career pathways in the aviation sector.

FNQ Vocational Academy, in partnership with Aviation Australia, will launch a hands-on, school-to-work course for year 11 and 12 students.

Aviation Australia business manager for North Queensland Chris Piggott said the two-year program would provide practical, job-ready skills that could be applied widely across the aviation industry.

“What we do as an aviation training agency is we work very closely with the industry, so if the industry tells us … they can’t get enough trained staff … Aviation Australia steps in and sits down with everyone and says OK, what can we do?” Mr Piggott said.

“This new program opens up to all jobs at the airport so (students) could be doing check-in over here, maybe doing baggage handling, they could be working in the gift shops, in the cafes, it covers every aspect of the aviation industry.”

Tony Whybird, Chris Pigott and Richard Barker. Picture: Brendan Radke

Only 15 positions will be available at the start of the course which will launch on July 1, with students from state and non-state schools encouraged to apply.

“Trinity Bay is the central point of contact for the schools, but it’s also available to all the other schools in the region,” he said.

Trinity Bay State High School principal Tony Whybird said students would be part of the greater Far North Queensland Vocational Academy should they apply for the program.

“Trinity by State High School is the custodian of a regional program. It’s actually a sub school which is Far North Queensland Vocational Academy, and we accept enrolments from any student who’s eligible in year 11 and 12 from any school in the region,” Mr Whybird said.

Cairns Airport chief executive Richard Barker said the program was a great pathway for students who want to jump straight into work, rather than studying at university.

“There’s a diverse range of areas that are available within aviation, and so these kinds of programs are really important to allow young people to get experience across the sector,” Mr Barker said.

“University is one pathway, but lots of kids want to get straight into work and they can learn really good quality qualifications everywhere from aircraft engineering, there’s opportunities for use in airport retail globally.”

Applications are now open for the aviation program on the FNQ Vocational Academy’s website.

Originally published as Aviation Australia, Cairns Airport launch nation-first skills training program