[Peetwo]

Aviation skills
It is clearly essential that the aviation industry's workforce has the skills and qualifications needed to meet future growth and demand without compromising safety.

The Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council has identified a range of aviation specific workforce development needs and challenges.

Globally, the International Civil Aviation Organisation, predicts that in the next 20 years airlines will need an additional 25,000 new aircraft to meet demand—it may be a good time to consider buying shares in aircraft manufacturers!

As a result, by 2026 the entire international industry will need 350,000 new pilots and 480,000 new technicians to maintain the aircraft.

There is already a particularly high demand for pilots—and, almost inevitably, poaching—stemming from strong growth in Asia and the Middle East.

These pressures are impacting on Australia and, although I note the good work Rex is doing through their Pilate Cadet Programme—there are significant difficulties in attracting people to work in regional or remote locations.

These pressures create the need to better understand the current challenges and future workforce needs of Australia's aviation industry.

This is why I am establishing an Aviation Workforce Skills Study.

The Study will help Government and industry better understand the future needs of the Australia's aviation workforce, so that we can work to meet them.

The Aviation Industry Consultative Council has advised on the parameters of the study and my Department has engaged the Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council to lead this work—with a close engagement with industry.

I expect the study to be completed in early 2016.

The Government is also finalising a new and contestable model for developing vocational education and training products.

Australian industry will take the lead in this process, because it is best-placed to know its current and future skills needs.

The move to a contestable model ensures arrangements respond to industry needs.

Skills Service Organisations will be selected through a competitive grants process. They will assist Industry Reference Committees to develop and review suitable training products—and we will shortly announce the successful Skills Service Organisations which will support the Committees.

I expect that the new arrangements will be fully operational from January 2016.

 
This is an excellent initiative and needs to be supported by industry. Hopefully under 'Malcolm in the middle' this is not a hollow initiative.

Moving on and another positive aviation industry story, involving the DPM, fresh off the Yaffa.. :

Latrobe Valley Regional Airport is home to Mahindra Aerospace, Latrobe Valley Aero Club, several aviation businesses and plays host to hundreds of visiting aircraft each year. (Steve Hitchen)



Aerospace Manufacturing Facility opened at Latrobe Valley
18 Nov 2015

A new aerospace manufacturing facility was opened at Latrobe Regional Airport today, aimed at attracting new aviation businesses to boost the local economy.

The Growing Aerospace Manufacturing facility include a 5-hectare site opposite Mahindra Aerospace (GippsAero), a 33,350 square metre new surface for the main runway, improved drainage and additional water tanks, as well as improvements to taxiways and line markings.

New LED lighting and a Precision Approach Slope Indicator (PAPI) were also part of the $4.24 million project.

Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said the project is a major boost for the region's economy.

“This project created 107 jobs during construction and up to 200 jobs have been created in the aerospace industry since the start of this project,” he said.

“The work has involved the construction of an additional aircraft development hangar and infrastructure upgrades to support manufacturing and emergency services at the airport. It has also seen improvements to navigation aids, runway lighting, taxiways and aprons.

“What this means is a much more effective airport capable of handling growth in air traffic, a particularly important outcome for regional towns impacted by the tyranny of distance.”

Victorian Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford said the upgrades to the airport would benefit more than just local residents.

“The Victorian Government hosts a number of its aerial firefighting aircraft at the airport, a particularly important service we can draw on during a hot dry summer,” she said.

“I am delighted to see the upgrades complete and I am looking forward to continued investment by the Australian Government in the region. Supporting projects like these is the aim of our $500 million Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund which will support major projects, create jobs and build stronger regional communities in the Latrobe Valley.”

More on this good news story (above) with the Media Release from the Ag PM/DPM...

Latrobe Valley soars with aviation upgrade

Media Release
WT378/2015
18 November 2015

Joint release with:
Jaala Pulford
Victorian Minister for Regional Development
Darren Chester
Member for Gippsland


The Latrobe Valley's economy has received a significant boost with the opening of the Growing Aerospace Manufacturing facility at Latrobe Regional Airport today.

Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said the $4.24 million project is a major boost for the region's economy.

“This project created 107 jobs during construction and up to 200 jobs have been created in the aerospace industry since the start of this project,” Mr Truss said.

“The work has involved the construction of an additional aircraft development hangar and infrastructure upgrades to support manufacturing and emergency services at the airport. It has also seen improvements to navigation aids, runway lighting, taxiways and aprons.

“What this means is a much more effective airport capable of handling growth in air traffic, a particularly important outcome for regional towns impacted by the tyranny of distance.”

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the extensive upgrades had been ‘class-leading’.

“Outcomes of the project included the replacement of the old incandescent lighting system with a complete LED runway and taxiway lighting system, and a Precision Approach Path Indicator, which is the largest complete LED system currently in Victoria,” Mr Chester said.

“Other works included a 33,350 square metre resurfacing of the main runway, improved drainage and additional water tanks, as well as improvements to taxiways and line markings.”

Victorian Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford said the upgrades to the airport held benefits for more than just local residents.

“The Victorian Government hosts a number of its aerial firefighting aircraft at the airport, a particularly important service we can draw on during a hot dry summer,” Ms Pulford said.

“I am delighted to see the upgrades complete and I am looking forward to continued investment by the Australian Government in the region. Supporting projects like these is the aim of our $500 million Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund which will support major projects, create jobs and build stronger regional communities in the Latrobe Valley.”

MTF..P2