First apprentices start training at new Qantas Group Engineering Academy in Brisbane

The Flying Kangaroo new Engineering Academy will officially open its doors in Brisbane today, welcoming the first new intake of apprentices. The Academy will train the next generation of aircraft engineers through an updated training program developed by Qantas and Aviation Australia designed to increase the number of apprentices that can be trained each year.

Under the new Academy training program, the initial tranche of 30 apprentices training this year will have the opportunity to undertake simulated practical tasks in a controlled environment that mirrors working in a hangar, alongside their theory and classroom training. As part of their training, they will also learn through on-the-job training under the supervision of experienced Qantas engineers. QantasLink will also donate its last Boeing 717 to officially retire (VH-YQW) to the Academy to allow apprentices to do part of their training on a jet aircraft.

Qantas Domestic CEO Markus Svensson commented: “Qantas has a proud history of having some of the best engineers in the world and investments like our new Engineering Academy in Brisbane will help ensure this history continues. Qantas has trained aircraft engineers for many decades around the country and the Academy will play a vital role in equipping the next generation of aircraft engineers with the practical skills and expertise needed to sustain and grow our industry, ensuring we meet the increasing demand for a highly skilled aviation workforce. We have hundreds of new aircraft on order for the Qantas Group and with new fleet comes further opportunities to invest in our people, their training and also recruitment to ensure a steady and diverse pipeline of engineering talent in Australia. The donation of the B717 is an important milestone helping deliver updated training that will boost apprentice numbers and following more than two decades of service in the Qantas Group, it’s fitting that this aircraft will continue to contribute to Australian aviation history.”

Aviation Australia CEO, Glenn Ryan stated: “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to building a resilient, diverse aviation workforce and setting new standards for innovation and excellence in training. Working in partnership with Qantas, the Academy will draw on our shared engineering training expertise to deliver a world-class program which will provide technical training and job-ready skills for generations of engineers to come.”

30 first-year students will commence their training under the new Engineering Academy program, with this number to grow in coming years to up to 150. Female students are expected to make up a quarter of engineering apprentices starting this year, up from 18 per cent in 2023. In total, the Qantas Group will have more than 250 engineering apprentices in training across Australia this year, up 45 per cent on the previous year.

Over the next decade, Qantas Group will create 8,500 new operational positions across Australia and make significant investment in new training facilities to support the recruitment of these team members. The Engineering Academy in Brisbane builds on the Group’s existing training footprint in Queensland alongside the Group’s Pilot Academy in Toowoomba and established heavy maintenance and pilot training facilities at Brisbane Airport.