Engineers training in nZ, australia
Ten Air Niugini cadet engineers, including two women, have started on-the-job training with Hawker Pacific in Cairns. This follows the completion of their two years of training with Air New Zealand’s Aviation Institute in Christchurch.
The training in Cairns includes nine months of aeronautics, covering modules such as avionics and mechanics.
Cadet engineer Solomon Kawage says the two years in NZ were challenging for the group, but also exciting.
“We were exposed to bigger aircraft and had the chance to work alongside people from other nationalities. We were also exposed to new weather. Although it was difficult in the first few months, we got used to it as the days and months went by.”
Cadet Linda Eremas says the group is grateful for the opportunity provided by Air Niugini.
“We know we owe Air Niugini with the two years in New Zealand and now the training in Australia. We cannot wait to come back and give back the service to our own people.”
Her words of advice to up-and-coming cadets is: “It’s not a game, it’s tough. You must have the right attitude and always be on top of your game.”
Meanwhile, a new group of four cadets has departed for training in NZ. The group consists of Raphael Purkii, Brian Pessie, Douglas Marita and Arleena Kukari, the only woman.
They were chosen after an intensive recruitment and selection process, which received more than 1000 applicants from secondary schools and universities.
Air Niugini invests heavily in the training of its staff, including the cadet engineers and pilots. The cost of training a cadet engineer over a four-year period is PGK600,000. Air Niugini’s total training budget for this year is PGK16.5 million.
Air Niugini is also investing in hangar facilities at Jacksons International Airport, so that heavy maintenance of aircraft can be done in PNG. This will reduce overseas expenditure as well as increase the number of PNG engineering staff.
Air Niugini revived its aircraft maintenance engineer cadet scheme four years ago. It’s an intensive recruitment and selection process, which considers those within the age range of 18-25, with a minimum of Grade 12 education with A or B passes in physics, applied maths, maths A, applied English, or PETT certification.
Currently, Air Niugini has 39 cadets, including six women, training in NZ and Australia. ■