Joining forces
30 June 2009
Kangan Batman TAFE technical group general manager Phill Murphy and Forstaff Aviation's group director Doug Townley sign the four-year agreement.
The Aviation Industry Training Centre (AITC) continues to establish important connections with leading aircraft maintenance organisations, recently announcing a new training partnership with Forstaff Aviation.
Kangan Batman TAFE general manager Phill Murphy said the agreement, which will see the delivery of training to 15 Forstaff Aviation apprentices over four years, is another step forward for the AITC.
"As the leading provider of aviation training in Victoria, we're continually seeking out new partnerships with leading industry companies and organisations," he said.
"By establishing this new partnership with Forstaff Aviation, we're strengthening links between industry and education, and contributing to the development of a competitive Australian aerospace sector.
"Despite the current economic situation, there's still a great need for this type of specialist training in Victoria, so this partnership really represents a great opportunity not only for Forstaff Aviation and the industry but also the apprentices and for the Geelong community from which the majority of the apprentices will come from."
The AITC's training manager Mike Heffey said Kangan Batman TAFE's Broadmeadows facility will be used for the first month of the training to make sure the apprentices are accustomed to working in an aircraft maintenance environment.
"This will include the use of our Boeing 737 based at Melbourne Airport with the balance of the training to be shared between Melbourne Airport and on-site training at Avalon airport," he said.
Since it was established in 1998 to support the Qantas reconfiguration program at Avalon, Forstaff Aviation has been actively involved in the global search and recruitment of specialist aviation personnel. With more than 800 full-time employees, the company contributes significantly to the development of the aviation industry in Australia.
