Changes to Deliver Better Value from Pilot Training

Media Release
23 May 2011

Changes to Deliver Better Value from Pilot Training

Changes to pilot qualifications being led by the Aviation, Tourism and Travel Training Organisation (ATTTO), in conjunction with the aviation industry, will help deliver on the Government’s promise to get greater value from pilot training.

In a post-budget statement on 19 May, the Minister for Tertiary Education Hon Steven Joyce said pilot training was one area where the Government would seek to “improve our investment”.

ATTTO Chief Executive Elizabeth Valentine says two New Zealand Diplomas in Aviation (Pilots) will deliver cost savings for Government and improve employment outcomes of pilot training, helping reduce pilots’ unpaid student loan debt.

“We have been working closely with major aviation employers, industry organisations and training providers to develop these new national qualifications. They are set to replace the 28 regional sub-degree pilots’ qualifications currently on offer in New Zealand,” says Ms Valentine.

“They will improve consistency, ensuring common content is delivered nationwide, and better channel trainees through training and into work. The reduced number of qualifications will also reduce costs for Government around monitoring and compliance of qualifications.”

The New Zealand Diplomas are currently with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) for review and approval.

Elizabeth Valentine says these are the first New Zealand qualifications developed with the support of industry and tertiary providers to deliver on objectives set out in the NZQA’s Targeted Review of Qualifications.

“For a regulated occupation such as pilot training, an agreed, consistent nationwide approach will help drive up training and assessment standards, and lead to improved public safety. This is a model that industry and NZQA could potentially replicate across other regulated occupations,” says Ms Valentine.

Brian Whelan of Peet Aviation, the Chair of the industry steering group which drove development of the qualifications, says the Diplomas offer four training pathways aligned to needs of employers in different areas of aviation.

“We are also working through the benefits of a two-stage selection process, which will ensure pilots are pre-screened before entering training and also when they choose their specialisation. This will help ensure students have the ability to complete training and that graduate pilots are fit for employment in the industry.”

The new pilot training qualifications resulted from ATTTO’s 2010 Aviation Strategic Training Plan and Map of provision, a project to review the future training and qualification needs of the aviation sector.

Ms Valentine says this project is an example of the enormous value industry training organisations deliver when they work in collaboration with industry and tertiary providers.

“This project has been focussed on achieving outcomes that will benefit the industry long term and help assist with government savings objectives in the short term. By working alongside private training establishments and polytechnics we have been able to develop two qualifications that meet the needs of employers and potential pilots, and also have the support and backing of industry and training providers,” she says.

ENDS

About ATTTO:
ATTTO is the industry training organisation for the aviation, tourism, travel and museums industries. Its role is to provide industry leadership on skill and training needs, set skills standards, and design and deliver world-class industry qualifications that meet the needs of its industries.

All ATTTO qualifications are nationally recognised and registered by the NZQA on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework. They can be completed through training providers or in the workplace. ATTTO is a recognised player in the New Zealand tertiary education sector and receives funding through the Tertiary Education Commission.

In 2010, more than 1,300 ATTTO industry training programmes were completed by employed people from ATTTO’s industries.

The scope of ATTTO’s workplace training for its industries includes:

Aviation – aeronautical engineering, pilots and air crew, control of aircraft operation, commercial operations, airport operations, air traffic control and aviation ground support services.

Tourism – attractions, adventure tourism providers, event and conference organisers, retailers, regional tourism organisations, tourism marketing boards, visitor information centres, casinos, and tourism-related activities including transport and tourism infrastructure.

Travel – travel agents, reservation services, tour wholesalers, inbound and outbound travel operators, principal and booking offices.

Museums – governance, management and planning (Mana Whakahaere, Mahi Whakahaere, Hanga Tikanga), care and management of collections and taonga (Tiaki Kohinga, Tiaki taonga), public programmes including exhibitions (Kaupapa Tumatanui), customer service including visitor and market research (Wahanga Awhina Tangata), and relationships with iwi and communities (Te Mahi Tahi me nga Huihuinga Tangata).

ENDS