kt.2006

Hi
My son wants to do an electrical/plumbing apprenticeship but is finding it hard to get something as there is so little around at the moment so he is now thinking of doing an avionics course at Aviation Australia at Eagle Farm. It appears to be a good option as there is a guarantee of an apprenticeship at the end. Has anyone attended one of the courses and what did you think of it?
Thanks
Kathy

harrip

http://www.pprune.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=91 may be a better place to ask.

kt.2006

Thank you for that link. I had a quick look but it seemed like it was mostly for pilots.

canadiangal75

Is your son a PR in Oz? Is he going in as a local student or international? I am going as an international student in Caloundra at QIAE in avionics. There is no guarantee of an apprenticeship at any school. The aviation australia "guarantee" is only for local students and has several clauses to it. You need to pass all the exams and have 90% attendance and be an exceptional student. You also have to accept any offer anywhere in Oz. Keep in mind it seems like getting a job in avionics is not that hard as they are in very high demand. Only thing is, you have to be willing to relocate. Brisbane area has 3 schools teaching avionics that I know of.. So you can imagine how many students are competing for the same job in the area.
How old is your son? Has he been to the school to have a look around? Aviation is a passion. Once you're in it you either love it or hate it!

Pollyana

It is populated mainly by pilots but there are other aviation people on the forum. If you go to the main forum index www.pprune.org/ you'll see there are other forums for engineers etc so he may be able to pick up some leads that way. No harm in registering on the Aus forum though (on the first link) and asking the question there

kt.2006

Thanks for your response it was very helpful. I will have to ask them more about the guarantee as I did not realise he might have to relocate.

You must love avionics as it seems very expensive to go as an International Student. He is 18 and we became citizens recently so he can get the local rate. I don't know what category he will fall into (love it or hate it) as he is 18 and loves cars, girls and going out to all hours at the moment :curse:

kt.2006

Thanks pollyana I will look for the links you mentioned.

canadiangal75

definitely not cheap for me. I have been working in aviation for 7 years now and need a good career. So avionics it is! We are not in Canada at the moment so going back to Canada would be costly as well. We decided to have me take the course in Oz since the weather is much nicer there and I may even get PR in the end.

Your son is very young as most students will be. But I heard this course is alot of work. (Alot of studying). Especially if you are writing the CASA exams required to become licensed while you are doing the course (I will be doing this). Hopefully he likes it. But hey, I've been thru a few careers and education is never lost.

If he really likes cars though, why not do auto mechanics? You really must love airplanes to work in aviation. The hours are long and unsociable and the pay is not very good for quite a few years.

My husband's a helicopter pilot so we both work in aviation and understand each other's schedules. Also the need to relocate for work is very common in aviation.