Aircraft industry looks locally for the future

Air New Zealand will work with the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology to develop trained aircraft technicians.

Air New Zealand Regional Maintenance Limited (ANZRML) and NMIT signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in March to explore the development of opportunities for students who wished to study and get into the aviation industry.

Now Air New Zealand and NMIT have committed to a five year partnership where selected students would be offered a partial scholarship by ANZRML to attend the two year NMIT certificate in aeronautical engineering.

The candidates would then go on to complete two more years of training at Nelson’s regional maintenance hub before becoming fully qualified aircraft technicians.

Air New Zealand general manager regional maintenance operations Adam McMillan said ANZRML employed more than 170 people in Nelson who worked on turboprop aircraft, both for Air New Zealand and other international airline customers.

McMillan said the MOU would help ‘‘future-proof the talent pool required to fulfil growing demand in the industry’’.

‘‘This partnership will ensure a long-term solution to growing skills and talent to the benefit of those pursuing careers in the aviation industry, as well as Nelson and the wider region.’’

NMIT chief executive Tony Gray said it currently had 200 aviation students over a two year period. The top two students would receive the scholarship of $1000.

The scheme opened more doors for students in the top of the south seeking a career in aeronautical engineering, he said.

‘‘There’s a significant growth ... that’s occurring in the region but also worldwide and it’s one of those areas that’s got good job and career prospects.’’

He said there was no denying that the airline industry would continue to increase job opportunities for skilled and trained aircraft technicians.