<p><img alt="Dreamliner" src="/getasset/6fb47ea6-1ee7-4b84-acc9-ca9874b40fb2/" /></p>
<p>With a global pilot shortage constantly being discussed, airlines are increasingly taking it upon themselves to open their own academies or to partner with a seat of education to enable pilots to be trained from scratch.</p>
<p>It’s even more important to take that course when your group has not one but seven airlines, as can be found in the Qantas Group with its mainline operation, regional operator QantasLink, Jetstar (comprising Jetstar Airways in Australia and New Zealand, Jetstar Asia based in Singapore, Jetstar Pacific in Vietnam, and Jetstar Japan) and Jetconnect (based in New Zealand and operating services across the Tasman Sea).</p>
<p>The Group is set to open its new Qantas Group Pilot Academy in Toowoomba, south Queensland, in September this year and has therefore begun to accept applications for the inaugural intake. It marks the beginning of efforts to build a long-term talent pipeline for all those carriers as well as helping the worldwide need for skilled pilots. The global estimate is that around 790,000 more pilots will be required globally over the next 20 years. Unsurprisingly, given the number of aircraft on order for the region, around one third of those flight crew will be needed in the Asia-Pacific.</p>
<p>Toowoomba is the first of two locations for the Academy. Alice Springs, Bendigo, Busselton, Dubbo, Launceston, Mackay and Wagga Wagga are all still under consideration for the second Academy site with a decision expected shortly.</p>
<p>The final designs for the hangars, classrooms and student accommodation at the Academy are complete and construction is expected to start in the coming months. The first intake of students will therefore be accommodated at the University of Southern Queensland.</p>
<p>Qantas has appointed Flight Training Adelaide (FTA) as the training provider for the Toowoomba site, in a partnership that will see them extend their reach to Queensland. FTA will bring “a mix of modern single and twin-engine aircraft with glass cockpits to support the training with a mentoring programme that will involve of some of the Qantas Group’s most senior pilots,” according to Qantas.</p>
<p>“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,” reports Qantas CEO, Alan Joyce.</p>
<p>According to the Group, the course has been “designed to train students with little to no flying experience and includes both theory and practical components. Students will graduate with a number of qualifications including a Commercial Pilot Licence and relevant qualifications, ready to commence a career in commercial or general aviation. After graduation, students will join Qantas Group’s pilot pool and have access to opportunities with partners in the aviation industry”.</p>
<p>Fees often put off potential flyers but Qantas will be offering a scholarships programme, with the grants involved being able to cover costs from basic accommodation right through to full training.</p>
<p><a href="https://jobs.flightglobal.com/jobs/?utm_source=website&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=FJ_job_search"><img alt="Flight Jobs - Job search " src="/getasset/635f0a93-7ecb-4d76-8268-6f14d01d6f29/" /></a></p>
<p>With a global pilot shortage constantly being discussed, airlines are increasingly taking it upon themselves to open their own academies or to partner with a seat of education to enable pilots to be trained from scratch.</p>
<p>It’s even more important to take that course when your group has not one but seven airlines, as can be found in the Qantas Group with its mainline operation, regional operator QantasLink, Jetstar (comprising Jetstar Airways in Australia and New Zealand, Jetstar Asia based in Singapore, Jetstar Pacific in Vietnam, and Jetstar Japan) and Jetconnect (based in New Zealand and operating services across the Tasman Sea).</p>
<p>The Group is set to open its new Qantas Group Pilot Academy in Toowoomba, south Queensland, in September this year and has therefore begun to accept applications for the inaugural intake. It marks the beginning of efforts to build a long-term talent pipeline for all those carriers as well as helping the worldwide need for skilled pilots. The global estimate is that around 790,000 more pilots will be required globally over the next 20 years. Unsurprisingly, given the number of aircraft on order for the region, around one third of those flight crew will be needed in the Asia-Pacific.</p>
<p>Toowoomba is the first of two locations for the Academy. Alice Springs, Bendigo, Busselton, Dubbo, Launceston, Mackay and Wagga Wagga are all still under consideration for the second Academy site with a decision expected shortly.</p>
<p>The final designs for the hangars, classrooms and student accommodation at the Academy are complete and construction is expected to start in the coming months. The first intake of students will therefore be accommodated at the University of Southern Queensland.</p>
<p>Qantas has appointed Flight Training Adelaide (FTA) as the training provider for the Toowoomba site, in a partnership that will see them extend their reach to Queensland. FTA will bring “a mix of modern single and twin-engine aircraft with glass cockpits to support the training with a mentoring programme that will involve of some of the Qantas Group’s most senior pilots,” according to Qantas.</p>
<p>“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,” reports Qantas CEO, Alan Joyce.</p>
<p>According to the Group, the course has been “designed to train students with little to no flying experience and includes both theory and practical components. Students will graduate with a number of qualifications including a Commercial Pilot Licence and relevant qualifications, ready to commence a career in commercial or general aviation. After graduation, students will join Qantas Group’s pilot pool and have access to opportunities with partners in the aviation industry”.</p>
<p>Fees often put off potential flyers but Qantas will be offering a scholarships programme, with the grants involved being able to cover costs from basic accommodation right through to full training.</p>
<p><a href="https://jobs.flightglobal.com/jobs/?utm_source=website&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=FJ_job_search"><img alt="Flight Jobs - Job search " src="/getasset/635f0a93-7ecb-4d76-8268-6f14d01d6f29/" /></a></p>