F lying start to job path

Kickstart your career in the aviation industry through Cairns Aviation Skills Centre (CASC), an award-winning aviation training centre of excellence. “Believe it or not, we’re actually seeing quite a busy time since COVID,” said CASC business manager Chris Pigott.

“While the larger airlines are down to about 20 per cent of operations, the 100seat jets and smaller aircraft have become very busy, because they are now carrying the freight and medical supplies that went into the cargo holds of the larger jets. Chartering these smaller jets has also become popular with football teams, etc.

“Cairns never did large maintenance events on the larger jets, so we’ve not only been unaffected, we’re actually very busy.”

CASA’s Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Avionics) and Certificate IV Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical) help students prepare to become licensed aircraft engineers.

“Those courses take all the theory of the four-year apprenticeship and teach it in 12 months,” Mr Pigott said. “When they complete their theory, students then get a job and then do the rest of their hands-on training while working in the industry.”

The state-of-the-art training centre also offers Certificate II pathway programs for students in Years 11 and 12, which transitions them into the Certificate IV apprenticeship program.

“There are many great careers in the aviation industry,” said Mr Pigott, who has been in the industry for more than 30 years. “I can tell you first hand that joining the industry is an excellent career move.”

‘ While the larger airlines are down to about 20 per cent of operations, the 100-seat jets and smaller aircraft have become very busy

BUSINESS MANAGER CHRIS PIGOTT (left)