Queensland government-sponsored training organisation Aviation Australia and Hawker Pacific have inked a deal for a specialised aviation maintenance training program in Cairns.
Formalising a memorandum of understanding signed in June, the deal will provide advanced practical expertise to Aviation Maintenance Engineering students graduating from Aviation Australia’s International Training Diploma program.
Under the agreement, students from the diploma program in Brisbane can relocate to Cairns following two years of theoretical instruction to complete an intensive 10-week program of practical experience with Hawker Pacific. Aviation Australia, as the training provider of the Cairns Aviation Skills Centre, has agreed to manage up to 20 trainees at a time and facilitate their placement.
A number of students have already participated in a trial version of the program conducted under the MoU, including a group of 10 engineers from the Royal Oman Police.
“Aviation Australia’s International Diploma program is a great example of Australian expertise being exported globally and we see this program growing in the future as this enhancement to the training is marketed globally,” Aviation Australia CEO Bill Horrocks said.
Hawker Pacific COO Doug Park said the agreement was “a great strategic fit” as the company looks to increase its international presence.