Swinburne partners with Jetstar for cadet pilot program

Swinburne is partnering with Jetstar Airways and the internationally acclaimed CAE Oxford Aviation Academy to offer the only jet aircraft pilot cadetship program in Australia.

The cadet pilot program will offer school leavers and people without aviation experience an opportunity to start a career in commercial aviation.

Applications are open until Sunday 4 December 2016 for 12 cadets, with another 20 positions to be available next year.

Upon completion of the 18-month training program cadets will become First Officers on Jetstar’s Airbus A320 aircraft, or Second Officers on Jetstar’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

They will also obtain an Associate Degree in Aviation as well as private and commercial pilot licences.

Swinburne’s Chair of Aviation, Stephen Fankhauser, says this unique program is an innovative and effective approach to training and educating the industry’s future flight crew.

“The cadet pilot program will draw upon the high standard of professional training at CAE through its Melbourne Academy, the 23 years of experience that Swinburne has in delivering industry relevant aviation degree studies, and the expanding and exciting career opportunities that a value based organisation such as Jetstar can offer<" Mr Fankhauser says.

"Jetstar's Cadet Pilot Program is an exceptional opportunity for aspiring pilots to train under the mentorship of Jetstar, graduate with a Swinburne Associate Degree and go on to fly as First or Second Officers with the airline.”

Jetstar Airways Chief Pilot, Captain Georgina Sutton, says successful candidates may have limited or no flying experience, but must meet Jetstar’s requirements for aptitude, quality and safety to enter the comprehensive training and development program.

“Training to become a commercial pilot independently can be costly and take many years which can discourage many young people from pursuing it as a career,” Captain Sutton says.

“We’re offering a unique pathway for young people to study with an internationally renowned pilot training organisation before starting their career flying with Jetstar.

“We’re looking for the best of the best from right across Australia.

“With Qantas expanding, we will see a number of pilots who were on secondment with us return to the flying kangaroo. This has freed up some First Officer positions which we are filling through a combination of experienced pilots and these cadets.”

The program has been designed to be more accessible through the availability of the Federal Government’s FEE-HELP, covering more than two-thirds of the university course and pilot’s licence fees.

Candidates can apply through Jetstar's Careers website.

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