HIGH FLIERS IN AVIATION EDUCATION RECOGNISED

Ten Queensland students and teachers have been recognised for outstanding achievement in aviation education at the 2006 Boeing Education Awards ceremony in Brisbane today.

Education, Training and Arts Minister, Rod Welford, said the awards were part of the Aerospace Project, which was established in 2004 to create career pathways for students in the aerospace and aviation industries.

“These industries are among the State’s major growth industries, offering exciting and challenging career opportunities,” Mr Welford said.

“Through the Aerospace Project, our Government is working with industry partners to help ensure young people have the skills they need to take advantage of Queensland’s position as an aviation hub of the South Pacific.”

“I want to congratulate the teachers and students involved in the Aerospace Project whose efforts have been rewarded through these awards.”

The Boeing Education Awards include cash prizes and scholarships for students, and the opportunity for a teacher to complete a study tour at Boeing in the United States.

The winners are chosen on the basis of outstanding academic performance, leadership and innovation in aviation education.

Boeing Australia's Managing Director, David Withers, said the Aerospace Project had been particularly successful in fostering the next generation of aerospace employees.

"These students have the abilities and skills we value highly in the aerospace industry,” Mr Withers said.

"With the number of high schools and industry partners increasing each year, so will the career opportunities for young Queenslanders and that is of benefit to everyone involved.”

The Aerospace Project is a collaboration between Boeing Australia, Aviation Australia, Australian Aerospace, Smiths Aerospace, Brisbane Airport Corporation, and Education Queensland.

The Project involves 10 schools from areas around Brisbane, Ipswich, Townsville, Cairns and Caloundra. The schools incorporate aerospace into their regular subjects, particularly physics, science, maths, business studies as well as Aerospace Studies.

Media contact: Greg Milne or Marnie Stitz on 32371000

2006 Boeing Education Awards