Thu, 21 Oct 2004

Aviation industry asked to contribute to pilot training

---------------------------------

The government is calling on the aviation industry to contribute more to the cost of pilot training, and to ensure that training is better linked to commercial aviation pilot jobs available in New Zealand.

Associate Education Minister (Tertiary Education) Steve Maharey said fees per year for aviation training are far higher than for any other courses, including medicine and dentistry.

"Fees range from $30,000 - $70,000 per year. Students are ending up with huge debts and in past years graduates have had difficulty finding jobs in New Zealand.

"It is a very volatile labour market and trainee numbers have not always been well aligned to demand. In the period up to 2003 there was an oversupply of commercial pilots, while at present there appears to be a shortage.

"That situation isn't good for anyone - we need greater levels of certainty. That's why we are consulting with the aviation sector about a co-funding arrangement. We want to ensure that students receive high quality training that results in

"The first step in our co-funding arrangement is reducing the current aviation funding cap by 10% in 2005 to 700 EFTS (Equivalent Full Time Students). Priority will be given to all current aviation training students so that they can complete their qualifications.

"We have also set interim figures for the following two years, at the level necessary to ensure all current students are able to complete their studies, 600 EFTS in 2006 and 500 EFTS in 2007. These volumes are conditional on securing agreement on a co-funding mechanism with industry.

"The government wishes to look at how industry contributions can be used to reduce student fees, which in turn would lead to lower levels of indebtedness. Plus, as industry is predicting greater demand for commercial pilots in the future, trainee volumes could also be increased if industry agrees to co-fund a greater amount.

"I met with industry representatives last night and we have agreed that discussions with aviation industry representatives will begin very shortly, with the aim of formalising co-funding arrangements by the middle of next year."

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>