Aviation Australia graduates to join Etihad

Eight graduates from Aviation Australia will shortly join Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi.

The graduates from Australia’s leading aviation training organisation will spend the next two years in the UAE capital deepening their technical knowledge of aircraft maintenance systems.

Aviation Australia is the only training organisation in Australia that provides students with engineering qualifications recognised by the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority, the European Aviation Safety Agency, and the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority.

This is the third time Etihad Airways has hired technical graduates through Aviation Australia, and brings to 22 the number of Queensland graduates brought to Abu Dhabi.

The graduates will complete their aircraft maintenance certification, acquiring aircraft maintenance licenses, which will help them to eventually become fully licensed aircraft engineers.

On completion, the graduates will become part of Etihad Airways’ team of aircraft engineers, and work at the airline’s maintenance hub in Abu Dhabi, or at one of the airline’s six line maintenance outstations in Sydney, Mumbai, Dublin, Lahore, London-Heathrow and Manchester.

Etihad Airways Vice President for Maintenance, Jeff Wilkinson, said: “The relationship between Queensland and Abu Dhabi has been made even stronger with these latest graduates coming to complete their development at our world class facilities in Abu Dhabi.

“Australia is a hugely important for Etihad Airways. We have made enormous investment in the local market flying beween Abu Dhabi and Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane 21 times a week, with an additional three flights a week between Abu Dhabi and Sydney operated by our partner Virgin Australia.”

Bill Horrocks, CEO Aviation Australia, said: “Aviation Australia is extremely proud of the high quality of our graduates and that our programs continue to be recognised by Etihad Airways.

“This opportunity provides an excellent pathway for our graduates to broaden their international experience, essentially enabling them to be the next generation of Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers.

“Aviation Australia is one of the world's most comprehensively resourced training centres, and has been established to support the development and growth of both the Australian and international markets. Aviation Australia currently offers courses for Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, Flight Attendants and English Language Training in our Queensland campuses.”