Aviation Australia celebrates 10 years.

Queensland premier Anna Bligh and Queensland Minister for Employment, Skills and Mining - Department of Education and Training, Stirling Hinchliffe joined the staff at Aviation Australia this week to help celebrate the organisations 10^th Anniversary.

Formed in 2001 to expand the aviation industry in the state, Premier Bligh said that the state were reaping the rewards of 10 years hard work.

“Aviation Australia was the brainchild of the Queensland Government,” the Premier said.

“Queensland is now home to around 900 aviation and aerospace companies – accounting for around 30 per cent of the aviation industry nationally and supporting more than 16,000 jobs.

“What’s more, the industry contributes some $6 billion to the Queensland economy every year.

“Aviation Australia has been integral in the growth of this industry, and their success ten years on proves we were right on the money.

“They have grown to be the leading aviation training organisation in the Asia Pacific region.”

Ms Bligh said Aviation Australia was initially established to train aeroskills apprentices, and had expanded significantly to meet growing global demand for skilled aviation industry workers.

“With more than 100 staff on the books, and 400 students at any given time, Aviation Australia is a world renowned training institute and demand continues to grow globally for their graduates,” she said.

“Specialising in aircraft maintenance training, cabin crew and English language training, they are now a training partner to over 60 airlines and aerospace companies, governments, defence forces and regulatory authorities across the world.

“Nearly 900 students have graduated from aeroskills courses with Aviation Australia to date, and around 90 per cent of those graduates are working full-time in industry. A further 400 cabin-crew graduates are now working with 35 airlines from around the world.”

Aviaton Australia CEO Bill Horrock’s said that he was very proud of the achievements that the group has achieved and that the day was a way to celebrate and recognise the staff and Board of Directors for their contribution and hard work over the past 10 years.

“Aviation Australia facilities are very different to what they were in the beginning,” he said.

“We started with one office housing 21 staff, with temporary training facilities located off site to today, housing over 100 staff and up to 400 students at any one time.

“We are now one of the world’s most comprehensively resourced aviation training centres, with our main campus located at Brisbane Airport and another campus located in Cairns.

“We have a world class training facility which has been established to support the development and growth of aviation and aerospace industries in both the Australian and international markets.”

The celebration ended with a presentation of a Cessna 402 aircraft to Aviation High’s Principal Mr Phil Cooper.

The aircraft is on loan from Aviation Australia to the school for training purposes.

Cooper said Aviation Australia has been a foundation partner and strong supporter of the Australia’s first aviation high school, since it began in 2007.

“Our partnership with Aviation Australia has enabled us to offer a course in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering to students, to provide professional development for our teachers, curriculum support across the school, airport excursions and aviation expert mentors and guest speakers,” Cooper said.

“Thanks to the generosity of Aviation Australia, our students will now have a full size aircraft, a Cessna 402, that will enhance and extend their understanding of aviation and flight, while providing an excellent teaching aide for school staff.”