Trade Qualifications Awarded
A significant training milestone was reached by the RNZAF on 3 July 2008 when the first Aircraft and Avionics Technicians were presented with National Certificates as a direct outcome of RNZAF trade training.
Trade certificate recipients.
At a presentation ceremony in the No. 40 Squadron hangar, eight graduates were awarded their National Certificate in Aircraft Servicing level 3 by Commander Logistics Group (CLG), GPCAPT Andy Woods and CEO of the Aviation, Tourism and Travel Training Organisation (ATTTO), Elizabeth Valentine. A further 12 personnel will receive their certificates soon at graduations in Ohakea and Woodbourne.
Elizabeth Valentine acknowledged that the RNZAF has always been recognised as a high quality training provider. The awarding of national qualifications now adds another dimension to the benefits that can be offered to our personnel.
There are over 300 RNZAF personnel signed up to ATTTO training agreements which will lead to National Certificates at levels 3 and 4. Up to 40 more certificates will be awarded by the end of this year with many more due next year as personnel achieve sufficient competencies.
By providing nationally recognised qualifications, the RNZAF is creating greater options for its personnel as they will be able to benchmark their worth within an industry wide context. Furthermore, these initial qualifications may be used to staircase into higher level study, bringing increased benefits to both the individual and RNZAF. When personnel elect to leave the RNZAF, they will then be better equipped to join the civil workforce.
These awards are just the beginning for RNZAF personnel. Work on benchmarking our NCO Courses, Safety & Surface and Composites trades against appropriate national qualifications, is also continuing. The RNZAF’s ultimate aim is to have nationally recognised qualifications available for all personnel, regardless of trade.This opportunity to gain civil qualifications is currently available to any Aircraft, Avionics, or Armament personnel who have completed an Aeronautical Engineering Course (AEROENG). Anyone who has completed AEROENG and wants to participate, should contact W/O Naus to access a training agreement.
A slightly different process is being established to enable the additional 350 members of these three trades, who began training prior to 2002, to also access these nationally recognised qualifications. Developments will be advised via the RNZAF News.
Any questions should be directed to W/O Naus, the Air Force Qualifications Officer at, Training Group Headquarters, Woodbourne.