Australia deputy PM welcomes expert panel report on aviation skills and training

Australia's deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack welcomed (27-Jul-2018) an industry report on aviation skills and training issues presented by an expert panel. "The panel was formed by industry to identify strategies for supporting adequate training and retention of aviation professionals, as well as maintaining Australia's position as a leading exporter of aviation training and skills services", Mr McCormack said. Chaired by Greg Russell, the expert panel included major airlines QantasLink, Virgin Australia Group and Rex's Australian Airline Pilot Academy, as well as industry bodies with a focus on regional aviation and the aviation maintenance industry Aviation Australia, Regional Aviation Association of Australia, Aircraft Structural Contractors and Basair Aviation College. The Panel's report come as the strong demand for aviation professionals, the challenges for Australian airlines, as well as the significant opportunities for Australian training schools to capitalise on the extraordinary growth in Asia Pacific aviation. Mr McCormack said: "Adequate training and retention of aviation professionals are keys to ensuring continued growth of all sectors of the Australian aviation industry and the Government supports efforts by industry to find longer-term and sustainable solutions which support the ongoing expansion of the Australian aviation sector". [more - original PR]