Pretoria - A group of 15 students at Paramount Aerospace Systems’ Technical Training Academy at Wonderboom National Airport are on track to become the next generation of aircraft technicians and engineers.
Paramount Aerospace Systems, a subsidiary of Paramount Group, said a grant provided by South Africa’s Transport Education Training Authority in 2019 made it possible for seven students to complete the three-year course offered by Paramount Aerospace Systems.
The group operates a fully accredited Technical Training Academy at Wonderboom National Airport, located adjacent to the state-of-the-art aircraft production facilities where the Mwari reconnaissance and light attack aircraft is manufactured.
The technical training academy was established to serve the training needs of young Africans from across the continent, those who aspire to reach careers such as an aircraft technician or aircraft maintenance engineer.
“We are absolutely delighted that, with the support of the training grant offered by the Transport Education Training Authority, students will be able to participate in our comprehensive programme, presented by industry veterans with decades of combined experience,” said Brian Greyling, chief executive of Paramount Aerospace Systems.
“With our comprehensive training solutions that cover all of the technical aspects of aviation, we are addressing the dire shortage of technical skills in the local aerospace sector and further unlocking pathways for our students to embark on prosperous lifelong careers in both the local and international aviation industry”.
The technical training academy, previously based in Polokwane, was relocated to Wonderboom in Pretoria, near to the country’s economic heartland, to ensure that more students would be able to access the practical educational programme and do so at a reasonable cost.
“With huge growth projected for the local aviation sector and across the African continent, the increased demand for qualified aircraft technicians is going to soon outweigh the very limited pool of available resources.
“Our training academy hosts a sterling track record of producing results, where workshop practice follows directly on from classroom theory, and with the aid of training devices and actual aircraft, effective knowledge uptake is assured.”
The training academy, which can accommodate two intakes a year in January and July, has plans to expand over the next decade to address the urgent need for more certified technicians.
Three of the 2022 graduates were offered immediate starting positions at Paramount Aerospace Industries and another graduate was retained by Paramount Aerospace Systems.
Three remaining graduates are presently being assisted in finding and securing their first positions by instructors at the Training Academy, alongside private aircraft maintenance organisations.
“For aircraft to operate safely and efficiently, it is imperative that properly qualified aircraft technicians are available to perform the required maintenance actions and, in addition, support actual flight operations,” Greyling added.
Paramount Group has been supporting a number of air forces around the world in the maintenance and technical operation of advanced fighter aircraft for many years.
In addition, the group has been operating a pilot training capability for a many years to advanced fighter training in South Africa and to other customer countries.
Pretoria News