00:00 It's never a dull day on the job in this workshop.
00:05 These apprentices work for Boeing Australia, keeping defence aircraft in the sky.
00:10 As an avionics apprentice I inspect, test, troubleshoot electrical and electronic components
00:17 as well as remove and install under the supervision of a qualified tradesman.
00:21 It's a pretty niche industry, particularly defence aviation and wedge tail as a whole.
00:26 There's only six wedge tails in Australia, only a few more across the world.
00:30 Boeing Australia has doubled its intake of apprentices in the past year and it says demand
00:36 is only growing.
00:37 You're on training, you're constantly learning but at the same time you're also earning income
00:42 and to me that's just a win-win.
00:46 It's a different story for commercial aviation.
00:49 The industry is grappling with a skill shortage.
00:52 Since the pandemic an estimated 25,000 people have left, many haven't returned.
00:59 It's very dire now because there's a great demand for skills, not least digital skills.
01:06 There was migration stopped during the pandemic years which exacerbated the skill shortages.
01:14 A Senate inquiry has since recommended an independent body be created with the power
01:19 to enforce binding labour standards.
01:22 As far as we know Qantas does not support an independent aviation body.
01:26 What it supports is a body that gives it more power, more power in aviation to make its
01:32 own decisions.
01:33 Experts say aviation companies need to find innovative ways to recruit and retain staff.
01:40 Aviation employers do need to be more innovative.
01:44 To meet the skill shortage head on.
01:46 [BLANK_AUDIO]
