Want to get into the aviation industry? A course is being offered for aviation mechanics, which teaches students how to weld. Photo: TAFE NSW.
In an attempt to bridge an industry skills gap on the NSW South Coast, a new aviation course took off at TAFE last month.
The Certificate II in Aeroskills is being delivered in TAFE’s Nowra campus for the first time this semester for students who want a career in aviation mechanics.
“This forms part of a wider strategy to future-proof industry in the Illawarra Shoalhaven region by attracting more workers to meet in-demand roles, including aircraft maintenance engineers,” a NSW Government spokesperson said.
The course will equip students with skills in welding and fabrication, including repairing and overhauling aircraft electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electro-hydraulic, and electro-pneumatic components.
Students will engage with local employers, including aircraft manufacturer Sikorsky and the Royal Australian Navy, to support their transition to jobs and apprenticeships.
Industry Skills Australia says the country’s aviation industry employs over 71,000 people and is expected to grow by over 20 per cent in the next decade.
The state government spokesperson said NSW employs the most aircraft maintenance engineers of all states and territories, at over 30 per cent of jobs, and 17 per cent of aircraft maintenance engineers in Australia will pass retirement age in the next decade.
“Investing in education to address skills gaps is a win-win,” Dr Sarah Kaine MLC, the government spokesperson for Kiama, said.
“It strengthens our industries, drives economic growth, and ensures our workforce remains competitive and capable.
“This new course will provide local industries with the skilled workers our state needs, while equipping students with the expertise needed to meet industry demands.”
Member for South Coast Liza Butler said the Shoalhaven region is well-known as an established and growing hub for the defence, aviation and manufacturing industries.
“Employers have told us there is a shortfall of workers,” she said.
“By offering this new course, TAFE NSW is building skills from the ground up, helping South Coast locals who are interested in working in aviation to get the start they need to succeed.”
An aviation technician gets to work at HMAS Albatross. Photo: Supplied.
Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips said the new course would open up learning pathways for local students looking to work in the avionics industry.
“It’s fantastic that local students are now able to access this course at Nowra TAFE where they can gain the entry-level skills needed in aviation maintenance workshops,” she said.
“We’re a Navy town, home to HMAS Albatross, HMAS Creswell and the Royal Australian Naval College, so it’s really important that we have defence-related TAFE courses on offer here to give local students an entry into the industry.
“Defence and defence industry are our biggest employers, and this aeroskills course will provide local students with an opportunity fill in-demand roles, such as aircraft maintenance engineers and aircraft line maintenance workers.”
This semester’s Certificate II in Aeroskills at Nowra began in August and runs for 12 months.
TAFE says students will learn to work on aircraft to remove, install, inspect and test various systems and mechanical components. They will also learn to interpret aviation maintenance manuals, complete repairs on limited structural components, work safely and sustainably in an aviation maintenance environment, and fabricate aircraft electrical looms and harnesses.
TAFE also says students can become aircraft maintenance engineers, who inspect, test, align, repair and install aircraft electrical and avionic system components.
Future study pathways are also available.
More information on the Certificate II is available on the TAFE NSW website. There are no entry requirements.
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