The Northern Territory Government has announced $1 million in funding for the Territory Aviation Skills Centre (TASC), to deliver a specialised Aviation Training facility.
Funding has been provided through the Future Infrastructure Investment program, enabling TASC to repurpose a hangar complex located at Darwin International Airport and transform it into a world class aviation training centre.
TASC Chairperson, Greg Ireland, said, “TASC wishes to acknowledge the strong support of the Northern Territory Government, as their funding commitment will directly enable key workforce skilling initiatives to be implemented for the NT Aviation, Aerospace and Space Industry sectors.
“The formal commencement of the TASC project has also seen significant partnering between industry and NTG. I wish to also acknowledge R.A.P.T. Holdings, CareFlight, Chartair and Aviation Australia each of whom are recognized for their active support during the development phase of TASC.”
The new skills centre will deliver training for apprentices in mechanical avionics, specialised training for cabin crew and support the VET In Schools program delivery of Line Maintenance and Electronics training.
It will also double as an examination centre, meaning Northern Territory apprentices will no longer have to travel to Cairns to sit their exams.
Northern Territory Minister for Jobs and Training, Paul Kirby, said, “Our apprentices and trainees are our future and this investment will support the growth of this globally-significant sector, growing our skilled workforce and building a stronger regional capability.
“Territorian kids aspiring to work in the aviation industry previously had to go interstate after they finished school. We’re changing that.
“This facility will become an industry training hub for the region and Asia, acting as an enabler for private investment while supporting local apprenticeships and traineeships.”
TASC is the result of a combined effort from the Northern Territory Government, The Chamber of Commerce, Care flight, Aviation Australia and NT Airports.
Despite the current challenges presented by COVID-19, the aviation sector and aerospace industries are still expected to undertake significant growth over the next decade and the Northern Territory’s location and space to grow provide ideal conditions for investment in the aviation industry.
This investment is also in line with the Territory Economic Reconstruction Final Report recommendations, to embed workforce planning for the future.
Maintenance and repair opportunities within the industry are also expected to grow with the Northern Territory Government investing $3.5 million into the Asia Pacific Aircraft Storage Maintenance facility through the Local Jobs Fund in July 2020.
Project plans for the refurbishment are still being finalised through TASC, but the facility is on track to become an integral part of the Northern Territory’s aviation, aerospace and space industry into the future.
Mr Ireland said, “Importantly, TASC will now also lead engagement with numerous aviation and defence industries prime contractors, service companies and register training providers. These initiatives will help elevate future industry partnerships and additionally focus on critically needed localised workforce skills development for NT industry.”
