Fed: Govenment to spend $4.1 million on aircraft engineers

AAP General News (Australia)
08-24-2001
Fed: Govenment to spend $4.1 million on aircraft engineers

CANBERRA, Aug 24 AAP - The federal government is to spend $4.1 million boosting the
training of aircraft engineers for regional centres.

Transport Minister John Anderson said the money would support the development of the
new Australasian-Pacific Aeronautical College at Tamworth in NSW.

Announcing the initiative at Tamworth today, Mr Anderson said Australia had a national
shortage of aircraft maintenance engineers which was acute in regional areas.

"Many small regional airlines and general aviation companies are finding it difficult
to retain their maintenance staff," he said in a statement.

"The government's investment will pay for capital equipment including tools, equipment
and demonstration aircraft.

"The organisations involved in the project will provide substantial matching contributions."

The college, which already has some 20 students including 10 Qantas Link apprentices,
is a joint venture between BAE Systems, Eastern Australian Airlines, the New England Institute
of TAFE and Tamworth City Council.

The first students will graduate in 2004 and will automatically receive CASA endorsement
as licensed aircraft maintenance engineers.

AAP mb/daw/ldj/br

KEYWORD: AIRCRAFT

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