Highflying Students Land Aerospace Industry Education Awards

Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said the awards recognise the achievements of students and teachers from participating Aerospace Gateway to Industry Schools.

“19 schools have partnered with industry, giving students the opportunity to explore a career where the sky really is the limit,” Minister Farmer said.  “These partnerships deliver lessons with strong connections to the real work being done on the ground and in the air, including hangars and workshops across the state.

“The end result is a cohort of young Queenslanders with big dreams, invaluable experience, and real commitment, which is exactly what we’ve celebrated today.”

Minister Farmer said it wouldn’t be possible without teachers like Kellie Baumgart from Balmoral State High School, who has taken home the Teacher Excellence Award.

“Aerospace student numbers are up 150 per cent at Balmoral thanks to Kellie’s passion and innovation, which includes a weekly masterclass on unmanned aircraft,” the Minister said.

“She has empowered young women to get involved in what was traditionally a male-dominated industry and has grown female participation in her Aerospace Systems class to 50 per cent.

“The students are lucky to have such a committed teacher and I congratulate Kellie on this well-deserved recognition.”

Aircraft manufacturer Boeing has reported that there could be a global aviation shortage of 600,000 pilots by 2040.

“School-based programs are critical to addressing skill shortages not just in aerospace and aviation, but sectors right across the economy.

“In our conversations with business and communities, it has been clear time and again that students seeing a pathway to interesting careers as they go through school supports better outcomes for students and a job-ready workforce.

Aviation Australia’s CEO Bill Horrocks said the company was proud to be hosting the Awards and Gateway program.

“This is a fantastic program unique to Queensland, where school students are offered the opportunity to safely explore careers in aerospace,” Mr Horrocks said.

“Aviation Australia was established in 2001 to support the aerospace industry and now, during the company’s 20^th anniversary, this program is a tremendous example of the role that we play in providing Queensland with a skilled and knowledgeable workforce.”

Following 78 applications received from 13 schools across QLD, 32 Aerospace Industry Education Awards finalists were recognised across 11 award categories.