Moree Plains students in front of the Qantas engines they inspected during a two-day aviation immersion program in Sydney. Photo: Supplied
Seven students from Boggabilla and Mungindi Central Schools have travelled from Moree to Sydney for a behind-the-scenes look at Qantas, with some experiencing air travel for the first time.
The two-day aviation immersion program gave students the chance to explore aircraft, meet pilots and learn about careers in the aviation industry. For the students, it was also an opportunity to consider how their own interests and ambitions might connect with opportunities beyond their hometowns.
Year 10 Boggabilla Central School student Tameisha H had never flown before the trip.
“It was my first flight ever. It was scary and loud, especially because I was right at the window with the engines,” she said.
Despite her nerves, Tameisha made the most of the experience, exploring different aircraft cabins and trying her hand at being a flight attendant.
“We got to see the differences in all the classes and got to sit down in them. I could see that the seats in first class were more comfortable and we pretended to be flight attendants and got to push the trolley down the aisle,” she said.
Tameisha plans to begin a school-based traineeship at her local preschool next year, but said she joined the aviation program because she wanted to try something new.
For Year 9 Mungindi Central School student Patrick L, the visit offered a closer look at a career he hopes to pursue.
“I would like to be an agriculture pilot after school and work in aerial applications like spraying crops by air,” he said.
Patrick was among the students who explored the flight decks of an Airbus A330, Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A380. He also spoke with pilots about licensing requirements and how they manage situations such as turbulence and bird strikes.
Fellow Mungindi student Emily G, also in Year 9, enjoyed her first flight, although landing took some getting used to.
“I loved the take-off, the view and the only thing I got nervous about was landing. It just felt weird being in the air,” she said.
Emily hopes to study fashion design at university and could see a possible connection between that ambition and the aviation industry.
“I could design and make the aircrew uniforms for Qantas,” she said.
During the visit, students toured Qantas facilities at Mascot, including aircraft hangars, the cabin crew training centre and the regional operations centre. They also learned about aircraft engineering, baggage handling and the work involved in keeping an airline operating.
The experience included uniform fittings and mock interviews designed to introduce students to workplace expectations and employment opportunities.
Educational Pathways Program Head Teacher Careers Laura Peisley said the visit was about helping students in rural communities see the range of possibilities available to them.
“My goal in the Educational Pathways Program is to give more opportunities to the schools and students I work with in rural areas,” she said.
“It’s important for that careers exploration now so they can see there’s so much more than the Moree area.”
Ms Peisley said the experience began before the students even arrived in Sydney. During their flight from Moree, the pilot welcomed the group over the aircraft’s announcement system, and students were invited to visit the cockpit after landing.
Qantas Senior Advisor for Early Talent Georgie Dunstan said the airline wanted young people from regional communities to understand the range of careers available in aviation.
“Regional communities are essential to Qantas, so we want young people growing up in places like Moree to know that a career in aviation is something they can be part of,” Ms Dunstan said.
“We’d love to see some of these students back with us one day, whether that’s in the flight deck, the cabin or in one of the many teams that keep our airline flying.”
The visit was delivered through the NSW Department of Education’s Educational Pathways Program, in partnership with the Regional Industry Education Partnerships Program and Qantas.
The Educational Pathways Program helps students explore career and training opportunities, including pathways into employment and further education.
For the seven students from Boggabilla and Mungindi, the Sydney visit offered a chance to experience an industry they might otherwise know only from the ground.
