NEW UNI AEROSPACE PROGRAM GIVES STUDENTS A FLYING START

A university direct-entry program launched today will offer a select group of Queensland high school students a flying start to an aerospace career.

Education and Training Minister, Rod Welford, said the program was an historic step in delivering quality training and education programs for Queensland’s aviation industry.

“The arrangement will offer 10 students drawn from Queensland’s 17 aerospace gateway schools, including Aviation High at Hendra, direct entry into three new University of Queensland aerospace courses,” Mr Welford said.

“Gateway schools offer broad mainstream school subjects as well as studies relevant to various careers in the aviation industry, from caterers and flight attendants to pilots, meteorologists, aviation lawyers and engineers.”

The new UQ Bachelor Degree programs in Electrical and Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Software Systems and Aerospace Engineering, were developed in consultation with the growing Queensland aviation industry.

Mr Welford said direct-entry students would be nominated by principals of the 17 gateway schools in Term 3 this year for study at the University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus in 2008.

“The students will be selected on the basis of their academic results across all subjects and their passion for engineering,” Mr Welford said.

“They will be offered university positions earlier than other students who will have to wait for their OP scores.

“This benefits students by giving them a head start to their studies, helps industry by providing more highly-skilled workers and supplies Queensland University with tertiary-ready, passionate students with a track record of performance.”

“The development of the aerospace gateway schools project and the direct-entry program will help further our Government’s Smart State agenda and support the $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan to provide skilled workers for crucial industries.“

Media Contact: Marnie Stitz on 3237 1000 or 0419 734 985