South Coast students will have an opportunity to launch a career in the defence industry, with a new avionics course on offer at Nowra TAFE for the first time.
Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips said the new Certificate II Aeroskills 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,” Mrs Phillips 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.”
The new course will give students an insight from industry-experienced teachers to ensure planes fly smoothly and safely through a mixture of theory and practical units.
Students will gain practical experience and develop specialist skills to give them an advantage in the job market, including working on real aircraft components on a variety of aircraft and working safely and sustainably in the industry.
The course provide students with credits towards higher level qualifications including a Diploma of Aeroskills (Avionics).
Mrs Phillips said the course would equip students with job-ready skills in welding and fabrication, including repairing and overhauling aircraft electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electro-hydraulic, and electro-pneumatic components.
“We already have industry-leading businesses like Sikorsky Australia, QinetiQ and Global Defence Solutions employing and training young people in the Shoalhaven, and this is another opportunity for local students to take up exciting defence-related careers without having to leave home,” she added.
“People may not know that, in Nowra, we have more than 200 highly-skilled workers keeping the MH-60R Seahawk Romeo helicopter fleet in the sky, and demand for these skills will grow as the Australian Government expands the fleet from the current 23 to 36 aircraft.
“Last year, locals might be surprised to learn that the first-ever deep-level maintenance of a United States Navy MH-60R Seahawk Romeo helicopter was completed by Sikorsky Australia right here in the Shoalhaven.
“There are incredible opportunities here for those who want to jump on board.”
Head to TAFE NSW Nowra website for more information.
Photo: Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips and Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy announced a $124 million upgrade to HMAS Albatross last year.
Photo 2: It’s hoped the new Nowra TAFE course will help fill the shortage of aircraft maintenance engineers.
Media contact: Katrina Condie 0437 662 967
