FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sigma Aerospace College Launches Groundbreaking AIR Program to Combat Aircraft Engineer Shortage
Supported by McDermott Aviation and Funded by Manufacturing Skills Queensland
[Sunshine Coast, QLD – 14 April 2025]
Sigma Aerospace College, in collaboration with launch partner McDermott Aviation and with funding support from Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ), has launched the first intake of its Aeroskills Industry Readiness (AIR) Program—a hands-on, 5-week aviation screening and training initiative designed to fast-track the next generation of Australian aircraft maintenance professionals.
The inaugural course kicks off today at McDermott’s Sunshine Coast facility, targeting candidates interested in trade assistant, AME apprenticeship, and flight line support roles across rotary operations. The program responds directly to Australia’s well-documented shortage of qualified aircraft maintenance engineers, as identified by the Regional Aviation Association of Australia and echoed in recent national skills priority lists.
“There hasn’t been a short, practical program in the market that effectively screens and prepares new entrants for the hangar floor or line maintenance roles —until now,” said Nick Booth, Training Manager at Sigma Aerospace College.
“AIR combines aviation-focused psychometric screening and structured interviews with a practical, high-impact training experience. Students gain a realistic and unique safety-critical insight into the technical expectations of working in aircraft maintenance before they commit to a full apprenticeship or training pathway.”
What Makes AIR Different?
AIR is not just another pre-apprenticeship. Delivered in an operational MRO or flightline environment, participants learn key introductory topics aligned with the training they will experience later in the MEA Aeroskills Training Package (encountered once in a formal apprenticeship). The program covers:
- Aviation safety and tool control
- Basic maintenance practices
- Component identification and disassembly
- Industry readiness, work ethic, and communication
- Multi-trade teamwork
- VR-based aircraft familiarisation to introduce complex systems in an engaging and risk-free way
Participants also undergo realistic job task simulations and are assessed through a competency framework that includes observation checklists, trainer interviews, self-directed online-learning and practical application of learning.
“The use of VR and interactive tooling early in the program helps candidates visualise aircraft systems and build confidence before they ever touch a component,” said Booth. “It’s immersive, effective, and unlike anything else in the general aviation market.”
Industry-Led, Industry-Benefiting
One of the core strengths of the AIR model is its integration with live aviation operations. Industry partners like McDermott Aviation not only host the training but also get first access to high-potential candidates, enabling them to build workforce pipelines with minimal hiring risk.
For schools, MROs, or aviation partners interested in running the AIR Program, Sigma Aerospace College provides a turnkey delivery model, including:
- Recruitment support and pre-screening (psychometric & interview)
- Industry-ready curriculum and assessments
- Experienced instructors and access to training infrastructure
- Digital training tools (LMS, VR modules, assessments)
To deliver AIR in a new location, partners will need:
- A funding body (e.g. state/territory training authority, community or industry sponsor) to subsidise tuition
- An aviation facility or MRO host for onsite training delivery
- Local support and funding for candidate recruitment and engagement
The program is nationally portable and can be tailored to fixed-wing or rotary environments. Find out more and enquire about the AIR program here →.
About Sigma Aerospace and Sigma Aerospace College
Sigma Aerospace began as an independent MRO after being divested from QantasLink in 2006 and has grown into one of Australia’s most respected integrated aviation services providers. With a national footprint across maintenance, overhaul, and workforce solutions, Sigma launched its training division—Sigma Aerospace College—to address the well-documented inefficiencies in traditional engineer training. The college has quickly become a trusted licencing and RPL provider to leading airlines and defence contractors by focusing on competency-based, responsive training systems that prioritise the needs of working engineers.
Contact:
Nick Booth
Training Manager, Sigma Aerospace College
📞 +61 407 628 916
📧 nick.booth@sigma.edu.au