top of page
Qantas Launches Engineering Academy in Brisbane, Greets Inaugural Class

By:

Pilotcenter.net

Qantas marked a significant milestone in the aviation industry as they celebrated the grand opening of their Engineering Academy in Brisbane on January 20, 2025, welcoming an inaugural class of 30 eager students. This pioneering initiative, spearheaded by the Qantas Group, sets out to shape the future generation of aircraft engineers through a dynamic training curriculum jointly developed by Qantas and Aviation Australia. The primary aim of the program is to expand the capacity for apprenticeship training, with a goal of accommodating up to 150 students annually.

Set against a backdrop of innovation, the apprentices will embark on a hands-on journey, engaging in simulated practical exercises within a meticulously controlled environment mirroring the operations of a real aircraft hangar. This experiential learning will complement their theoretical studies and classroom sessions, as they receive mentorship from seasoned Qantas engineers during on-the-job training opportunities.

Noteworthy is the emphasis on gender diversity, with an anticipated rise in female engineering apprenticeship intake to a quarter this year, up from 18% in 2023. In a show of commitment to nurturing talent, the Qantas Group will be expanding its cohort to over 250 engineering apprentices across Australia, representing a notable 45% increase from the previous year.

In a gesture symbolizing the passing of the baton, QantasLink will bid farewell to its final Boeing 717 aircraft (with registration VH-YQW), generously donating it to the academy for training purposes. The significance of this act was underscored by a statement from Qantas Domestic CEO Markus Svensson, who highlighted the Academy's pivotal role in cultivating a skilled aviation workforce poised to meet the evolving demands of the industry.

Svensson further outlined the strategic vision of upskilling and expanding the talent pool to align with the Group's upcoming fleet acquisitions. He expressed pride in Qantas' enduring legacy of nurturing engineering talent and reaffirmed the commitment to investing in the development and recruitment of a diverse engineering workforce in Australia.

Collaborating closely with Qantas, Aviation Australia CEO Glenn Ryan shared his enthusiasm for the joint initiative, positing the Academy as a hub for world-class engineering training. The transformative impact of this collaboration is set to equip future generations of engineers with the necessary technical acumen and job-ready skill set, ensuring a sustainable flow of engineering talent in the aviation sector.

Looking ahead, the Qantas Group envisions the creation of 8,500 new operational roles across Australia in the coming decade, aligning this expansion with substantial investments in cutting-edge training facilities to support the growth of their workforce. The Engineering Academy in Brisbane stands as a testament to the Group's unwavering commitment to excellence in training, further complementing their existing training infrastructure in Queensland and Toowoomba.

As the aviation landscape evolves, Qantas remains at the forefront of innovation, shaping the future by nurturing talent and fostering a culture of continuous learning within the industry.

prive pilot smiling being happy with a plane.jpg
bottom of page