Qantas announced today that it has opened applications for its first pilot academy at Wellcamp Airport near Toowoomba.
The Qantas Group Pilot Academy was established last year with the aim of addressing projected pilot shortages in the region. Toowoomba is the first of two planned sites.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the Academy was gearing up to start training the next generation of Australian pilots.
“Qantas has a proud history for having some of the best pilots in the world. We want to attract passionate young men and women to learn from the best, to become the best,” said Joyce.
“More than 22,000 people have so far registered their interest in the Academy so we expect there to be some exceptional talent amongst them putting their hand up to commence their pilot training."
The first course is slated to commence in September, but the facilities are unlikely to be completed in time, so Qantas plans to house the first intake of students at the University of Southern Queensland.
Qantas has selected Flight Training Adelaide (FTA) to run the training side of the Toomoomba campus.
“We’ve partnered with FTA, a leading training provider, and will offer purpose-built facilities and student accommodation. The Toowoomba site will be a world-class training school for future pilots, not just for the Qantas Group but for the broader industry, too," Joyce said,
“We look forward to welcoming the first students to the academy later this year."
Qantas is yet to decide on the location of the second academy, with Alice Springs, Bendigo, Busselton, Dubbo, Launceston, Mackay and Wagga Wagga all still under consideration.
“We’re conscious there are several regional cities still waiting to hear whether they have been successful as the home of our second academy,"Joyce offered, "and we really appreciate their patience, as we focus on getting the first site to this stage.”
People wanting to join the first intake can apply through the Qantas academy website.