Airservices welcomes new technical trainees

An Airservices training program at TAFE NSW Riverina Institute has been completed by nine new graduates, giving them the skills to maintain Australia’s traffic control equipment.

The two-year Diploma in Engineering – Electronics and Communications provides students with knowledge of data systems, surveillance, communications and navigation aids.

“Our industry is on a journey of enormous change being enabled by technology innovation and at Airservices we are using this to improve safety, make aviation more efficient and more environmentally friendly,” said Airservices Executive General Air Navigation Services Stephen Angus.

“The new trainees will help enable this change as we move from ground radar surveillance to satellite systems, from voice to digital data and from traditional airspace control to four-dimensional predictive technologies.”

They will be able to maintain Australia’s air traffic control equipment, from instrument landing systems, ground-based aids for satellite navigation, radars and other navigation aids.

The Alastair Hodgson Award is presented each year to the trainee who is most outstanding in terms of technical excellence and demonstration of organisational values. This year’s recipient was Natalya Kuznetsova, who will be taking a role in Perth.

“Safety is paramount to everything we do at Airservices and our technical staff play a crucial role in helping to maintain safety-critical aviation equipment,” said Angus.

“Field placements throughout their training has provided the trainees with vital practical experience and I congratulate them on their graduation and welcome them to Airservices.”

The graduating trainees will take up roles in Brisbane, Coffs Harbour, Darwin, Melbourne and Perth.

Image courtesy of Airservices.