Queensland jobs soar as Toowoomba lands first Qantas pilot training academy

Toowoomba will be home to a multimillion-dollar Qantas pilot training academy set to open in mid-2019, delivering hundreds of jobs for Queensland.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk joined Qantas today at Wellcamp Airport for the announcement of the Academy, which will have capacity to train up to 250 pilots a year at the airport and create up to 160 jobs in training and support roles.

Building the academy itself will create 100 direct jobs and 300 in the wider construction industry.

Earlier this year, Qantas elected to establish two pilot academies capable of training a total 500 pilots a year to help meet the increasing need of skilled aviators in one of the fastest growing global industries.

More than 60 regional airports across the country applied to host one of two academies nationwide, with nine regional cities making the shortlist, including Toowoomba and Mackay. The location of Qantas’ second academy is yet to be revealed, with Mackay still being evaluated as a potential site.

“My first priority is creating jobs and attracting the industries that mean new job opportunities for Queenslanders, especially in our regional communities,” the Premier said.

“This fantastic announcement is just the latest example of my government working to deliver on this priority for Queensland.”

Securing the deal was a partnership between the State Government, Toowoomba Regional Council and Wellcamp Airport with support through the Palaszczuk Government’s Industry Attraction Fund.

The Premier acknowledged the valuable support of the Wagner family in landing the project for Queensland.

Wagner Corporation Director Denis Wagner said the Academy was a team effort.

“This decision highlights that when the private sector, State Government and our local council work cohesively we can achieve a long-term, economically-sustainable future for our regional communities,” he said.

State Development Minister Cameron Dick said the government had worked closely with Queensland’s regional centres to put forward competitive proposals for the new academy and had been fighting hard for Qantas to establish this project in Queensland.

“Our state’s strong regional economies have extensive supply capabilities and infrastructure networks, making regional Queensland the prime choice for both training academy sites,” he said.

“Toowoomba has an outstanding liveability factor for students and flight academy staff, more than 315 clear flying days a year and robust existing infrastructure, and this successful bid has clearly demonstrated this city’s capability to host a world-class facility like this academy is destined to be.

“Securing a landmark project of this magnitude is a momentous vote of confidence in Queensland’s regional communities as hubs of economic optimism and opportunity for investors, and a testament to the positive business climate our government is building in this state.

“The Q in Qantas stands for Queensland, and by choosing to invest in Toowoomba, Qantas is choosing to generate Queensland jobs and grow our state’s contribution to keeping this iconic Australian company flying high.”

Next year marks 99 years since Qantas started flying in Queensland.

Securing the Qantas Pilot Training Academy in Toowoomba is in addition to:

• A new Brisbane base for four Qantas Dreamliners, creating 470 direct and indirect jobs
• A more than 60 per cent increase in Qantas’ intake of engineering apprentices in Brisbane in 2019, including avionics and mechanical engineering
• The creation of 34 permanent Qantas aircraft maintenance engineers

“This proves that, for Qantas, home is where the heart is,” the Premier said.

“It’s even better that that home is in regional Queensland.”

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the company would build state-of-the-art training facilities and student accommodation to create the academy in Toowoomba in partnership with the Queensland Government and the Wagner Corporation, who own the airport.

“Qantas has a well-earned reputation of having some of the world’s best pilots. For many of them, the journey will start right here in Toowoomba,” he said.

“What we’re ultimately creating is a world-class pilot school for students from Australia and around the globe.”

ENDS

Media contact: Anika Hume (Minister Dick’s office) 0447 320 039