Pilot training academy 'a coup' for the Garden City
by Jo Sheppard, Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce CEO
THE announcement last week that saw Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport named as the first location for the Qantas pilot training academy is great news for the Toowoomba business community.
The new pilot academy will address the current worldwide pilot shortage and will deliver a significant direct economic injection into our local economy.
Construction is to start immediately, and will bring jobs during construction but also direct and indirect jobs when operational.
It is estimated that once up and running though, the pilot academy will be putting up to $600 million into the local economy.
As a result of this announcement, Toowoomba will now be the home for training the next generation of pilots.
In a practical sense, this means that hundreds of additional people will be shopping in our retail sector, dining out in our restaurants and cafes, frequenting our gyms, renting or buying houses and generally getting involved in our community.
Qantas hope to train 100 students in the first year of operations and grow to 250 students in the first few years.
Qantas has appointed L3 Commercial Aviation as the training provider that will bring about 40 aircraft to the facility which will drive additional employment opportunities at Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport as well.
The University of Southern Queensland is partnering with the Qantas for the Future Pilot's Program already offering a Bachelor of Aviation degree at its Springfield campus but now looking to expand its aviation program to Toowoomba.
There will be a considerable spin-off in other training opportunities that could be provided at Toowoomba Wellcamp airport into the future, as a result of the pilot academy being established here including the training of flight attendants, ground staff, security staff and other aviation related skills.
Congratulations Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport and good choice Qantas!
What a coup this is for the future growth of our local airport, but also for our entire economy and community.
That makes each pilot worth upwards of $6M