The Northern Territory aviation sector is celebrating after The Minister for Jobs and Training, Paul Kirby, announced a $1 million investment into developing the Territory Aviation Skills Centre (TASC). Funds will go toward refurbishing a hangar at the Darwin International Airport which will be the home of the TASC.
The TASC aspires to provide a specialised aviation training facility enabling Territorians to access local delivery of skills across various aviation roles in piloting, engineering, in-flight and ground operations.
The TASC results from the collaboration between the Northern Territory Government, Industry Skills Advisory Council NT (ISACNT), The Chamber of Commerce NT, Care flight, Aviation Australia, NT Airports, ChartAir, Leach Aero Services and various businesses within the sector.
This work couldn't have been done without first identifying the sector's workforce development challenges and priority skills needs.
In 2019 ISACNT worked closely with industry members to publish the NT Aviation Insight. The research details what industries, jobs and skills make up the sector and highlights the capability and capacity of the Northern Territory Aviation workforce, including the priority skill needs to build the workforce and grow the economy.
The NT Aviation Insight highlighted the need for skills development. ISACNT contracted Deloitte to conduct a feasibility study, funded and supported by the NT Government, and produced the Aviation Academy Report. This report provided qualitative evidence that indicated the need for a Territory based aviation skills centre. The report was pivotal in identifying the need for access to local training and preparing the NT in positioning for an evolving competitive global aviation market.
The establishment of the TASC is a prime example of how research conducted by ISACNT has proven to be a powerful and valuable tool in supporting industry, identifying jobs in demand and skills needed to build and grow the associated workforce.
ISACNT strives to work with all industries to produce quality sector-specific insights. We look forward to talking with employers about the strengths and challenges they face and supporting the development of their sector.
ISACNT extends congratulations to the aviation sector and thanks the parties involved and Minister Paul Kirby for supporting this venture.