Growth mindset gives flying start
THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION WILL LEAD WORLDWIDE DEMAND, REQUIRING 261,000 OF THE NEW PILOTS — MORE THAN 30 PER CENT OF THE ANTICIPATED WORKFORCE
NICK TROMPF THE potential for Cairns to firmly establish itself as Australia’s northern gateway to the Asia-Pacific continues to gather momentum.
Yesterday’s pre-election announcement that a Shorten Labor Government will invest $9.9 million in the CQUniversity Asia Pacific Aviation Hub is another example of how the region can leverage its location and unlock the growth opportunities on our doorstep.
With the Federal Government expected to match the Labor pledge (following a visit to the aviation hub by Education Minister Dan Tehan last week), Cairns is on the way to becoming a key training location to help address a worldwide pilot shortage.
Between now and 2037 it’s estimated the aviation industry will need:
• 790,000 new commercial airline pilots
• 754,000 new maintenance technicians • 890,000 new cabin crew The Asia-Pacific region will lead worldwide demand, requiring 261,000 of the new pilots – more than 30 per cent of the anticipated workforce
The expected federal funding for the CQUniversity aviation hub will go towards a state-of-the-art flight simulator, aviation sensors, tracking equipment, new aircraft hangers and training facilities and an aerospace lab to lead research into pilot fatigue, and air traffic control.
The aim is to train up to 150 aviation students a year.
Aviation is one of many sectors which can contribute to Cairns being recognised as Australia’s northern gateway to the Asia-Pacific – and another, arguably more important, example is the Cairns marine precinct.
In addition to servicing private industry needs, the marine precinct supports Australia’s Defence and foreign policy initiatives in the South West Pacific and northern Papua New Guinea.
Home to one of only five operational navy bases in Australia, the precinct employs more than 4600 personnel across 270 businesses, making the sector essential to our region’s economy.
The changing nature and competition for international influence in the South Pacific, particularly by China, emphasises the importance of Cairns’ strategic location to Australia.
With the anticipated expansion of HMAS Cairns, our close proximity to the muchvaunted Australia-US naval base on Manus Island, and increasing demand for aviation, agriculture and education exports into Asia, Cairns is perfectly positioned as the strategic northern gateway for Australia.
Another example was just last week when Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne hosted a round table in Cairns including PNG Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Rimbink Pato, two other PNG Ministers, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other government officials as well as local civic and business leaders.
Labour and knowledge transfer were central elements of the round table — and with the PNG economy showing early signs of recovery, there is increased potential here too.
So it’s up to us as a region to build on the momentum by continuing to invest in our future. Nick Trompf is the CEO of Advance Cairns.