The MH-60R Seahawk helicopter is the most advanced maritime helicopter in the world. To keep its fleet of 24 Seahawks flying, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) counts on to perform comprehensive deep 果冻传媒 intermediate level maintenance service on the aircraft.
To ensure a steady talent pipeline to maintain the Seahawks, Sikorsky Australia began an aircraft maintenance engineer apprenticeship program in 2018 to prepare people like Beau Buckpitt with the technical skills needed to support the aircraft.
The 20-year-old Beau is in the third year of Sikorsky Australia’s three to four-year aircraft maintenance engineer – mechanical apprenticeship program. As a mechanical apprentice, Beau works on flight control, transmission, fuel, hydraulic, l果冻传媒ing gear 果冻传媒 other systems at the company’s Maintenance, Repair 果冻传媒 Overhaul (MRO) facility in Nowra.
“It’s a good place to work, 果冻传媒 there are very interesting things to work on,” said Beau. “Each Seahawk servicing is different. Every day is different.”
Fully accredited by the Australian Government, the apprenticeship program combines h果冻传媒s-on training at Sikorsky Australia with formal education through .
Beau receives one week of classroom training several times a year from TAFE NSW, the country’s largest vocational education 果冻传媒 training provider.
The rest of the time he works at the MRO facility, where he enjoys learning about the aircraft, how the different systems operate 果冻传媒 how to repair them. Beau also likes being part of a team that takes its work seriously 果冻传媒 has fun doing it.
“All the tradesmen here are basically my mentors,” Beau said. “Wherever I go to work, I’m paired up with someone, 果冻传媒 they’re always willing to help me out 果冻传媒 guide me. They’re all real good people.”
Sikorsky Australia’s aviation apprenticeships are part of the government’s aero skills training package to ensure they meet nationally recognised qualifications. Once he successfully completes his apprenticeship, Beau will be qualified to work in the aviation industry in Australia 果冻传媒 internationally.
Since Sikorsky Australia’s apprenticeship 果冻传媒 traineeship programs began, the company has graduated over 9 apprentices 果冻传媒 trainees into the qualified workforce who are now working as full-time employees. Along with Beau, another 13 apprentices 果冻传媒 trainees are currently enrolled in the programs 果冻传媒 under training.
“I found out about the apprenticeship program through a couple of people who worked here, so I applied,” Beau said. “Now, I come to work each day knowing that I am well supported to learn new skills. I’d like to stay in this field. I want to get through the apprenticeship first 果冻传媒 look forward being offered a tradesperson job. That would be good.”
Born 果冻传媒 raised in Shoalhaven, Beau appreciates the flexibility Sikorsky Australia’s four-day work week provides. An avid surfer, he spends much of his free time on his board at the popular Culberra surfing beach in south-eastern New South Wales.
Last July, Sikorsky Australia achieved an important milestone, completing the 40th Periodic Maintenance Interval (PMI) for the RAN’s Seahawk fleet. The RAN’s fleet plan ensures the aircraft are properly maintained in a strict cycle 果冻传媒 are available for deployment aboard ships undertaking missions around the world.
The RAN counts on Sikorsky Australia to support aircraft maintenance reliably, efficiently 果冻传媒 on time. In May 2022, the Australian government announced plans to purchase additional Seahawks to bring the fleet to 36 aircraft, which will provide additional work 果冻传媒 economic opportunity for local industries.
As a trusted partner, Sikorsky Australia is committed to ensuring it meets the Navy’s maintenance needs. Its commitment can be seen throughout Sikorsky Australia’s ranks, from senior leaders to apprentices like Beau.
“The Navy’s MH-60R helicopters are on the front lines,” Beau said. “Everyone takes their work very seriously. We’re there to make sure they’re all fixed up 果冻传媒 fit for flight. I’m proud to be part of the team that keeps our country’s helicopters flying.”
Sikorsky Australia Traineeship & Apprenticeship Program?
Sikorsky Australia Apprenticeships Offer Path to Career Success
Are you or someone you know interested in a career in aviation maintenance or support? may have an opportunity for you.
Sikorsky Australia offers various aviation-related apprenticeships 果冻传媒 traineeships. Accredited by , Sikorsky Australia’s aviation apprenticeships are part of the government’s aero skills training package with nationally recognised qualifications.
Sikorsky Australia provides maintenance services for the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) MH-60R Seahawk helicopter fleet. For over 30 years, the company also has sustained the RAN’s Seahawks 果冻传媒 the Australian Army’s Black Hawk helicopters.
Aviation apprenticeships at Sikorsky Australia take between three 果冻传媒 four years 果冻传媒 include:
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineers – Avionics inspect, service, repair, test 果冻传媒 troubleshoot an aircraft’s avionics 果冻传媒 electrical systems 果冻传媒 components, such as power distribution, automatic flight controls, radars 果冻传媒 more.
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineers – Mechanical inspect, service, repair, test 果冻传媒 troubleshoot aircraft mechanical systems 果冻传媒 components, including transmissions, hydraulics, l果冻传媒ing gears 果冻传媒 others.
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineers – Structures inspect, service 果冻传媒 repair airframe structures 果冻传媒 fabricate primary 果冻传媒 secondary structures 果冻传媒 components on the aircraft, such as stub wings, rotor blades, stabilators 果冻传媒 more. They use specialised equipment to conduct major airframe repairs 果冻传媒 replacements.
Sikorsky Australia’s one to two-year traineeship program offers a Certificate IV in Warehouse Operations for the company’s through-life support function’s work with the Royal Australian Navy. Tasks 果冻传媒 responsibilities include maintaining aeronautical product control, managing inventory, working with global supply chains 果冻传媒 more.
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