An agreement between Air New Zealand and NMIT/ Te Pūkenga to address the need for aviation engineering skills has opened new pathways for ākonga (learners) in the region and beyond.
As a result of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the national carrier, signed in August 2023, NMIT ākonga on the Level 4 New Zealand Certificate in Aeronautical Engineering can now complete the required work-based training with Air New Zealand, and apply for an Air New Zealand traineeship.
Reid Carnegie, NMIT Curriculum area manager- Engineering, Construction and Infrastructure says students in their second year of the aeronautical engineering programme must complete a minimum of 250 hours work experience at an approved engineering place of employment.
“As a result of the MOU, for the first time we have two students currently doing their work-based training at the Air New Zealand workshops in Auckland, under the direct supervision of their engineering staff.” he says.
The MOU also offers the NMIT graduates an opportunity to apply for an Air New Zealand traineeship, which gives them the industry experience required to move into an Aircraft Engineer role.
The trainees learn how to professionally perform interior and exterior maintenance on aircraft in the Air New Zealand widebody and narrowbody fleets. They also perform operational and functional checks to enable aircraft to be released back to service as airworthy.
This year, among numerous applicants nationwide, seven NMIT/ Te Pūkenga students were offered a place with Air New Zealand.
