Potential Recruits
Sixteen graduates from the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology’s (NMIT) 2010 course in Aeronautical Engineering Fundamentals (AEF) are now eligible to train with the Royal New Zealand Air Force as Aircraft Mechanics.
Following selection into the RNZAF Technical Trades, all potential recruits are now required to successfully complete the AEF course, prior to commencing RNZAF enlistment and recruit training.
In a newly formed partnership with NMIT, the AEF Level 3 Certificate has been aligned with the Air Force Aeronautical Engineering course, and also includes first aid and fire lectures. Spread over 16 weeks, completion of the course saw these graduates move onto R10/01 recruit course, which began 1 June 2010.
Running the NMIT AEF course offers many benefits including considerable cost saving to the Defence Force in the form of trainee and instructor wages. Also, with students now completing the AEF course prior to attesting and undertaking the Air Force recruit course, appropriately trained individuals will progress onto the recruit course.
Additionally, post recruit course Air Force technical trade training managers will receive qualified candidates onto Primary Trade Training. This arrangement carries less training risk to the RNZAF and will benefit all involved.