A new program aimed at educating and inspiring young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, particularly girls, to take up future careers in the aviation industry has gotten off to a flying start.
NRL Cowboys House students will be part of the first cohort of the Raising Horizons program spearheaded by Gunggandji Aerospace, Australia’s first and only 100% Aboriginal-owned Aerospace consulting company.
The students had the opportunity to witness a helicopter take-off, meet program organisers, sponsors and industry representatives and take part in aviation themed activities to officially launch the program.
Gunggandji Aerospace Managing Director Daniel Joinbee said the aim was to empower Indigenous youth to pursue careers in the aviation industry.
“It was fantastic to see the students so excited to get an up-close look at a helicopter and then experience watching it take off,” Daniel said.
“This program is about exposing the students to aviation careers that exist beyond being a pilot. Think Aerodrome Management, Aviation Engineering, Air Traffic Control, Operations and Strategy or ground services, there are so many different career pathways available for them within the aviation industry,” he said.
“Raising Horizons is about increasing their awareness and interest in the broad range of aviation careers, providing practical experiences and industry engagement opportunities, and using our learning to establish sustainable pathways for Indigenous youth into the future.
“We also want to engage and collaborate with aviation industry members to raise awareness of the opportunities available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees, build their understanding of alternative pathways to employment, and increase their commitment to hiring Indigenous people, especially women.”
Supported by Regional Express Airlines and Aviation Australia, the program will be rolled out from early 2025 with a view for the program to be implemented in other localities in the future.
It will engage and collaborate with industry partners and include theory and practical learning modules across a variety of subjects, to provide participants with a holistic understanding of the opportunities awaiting them.
Managed by Cowboys Community Foundation, the charity arm of the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys, NRL Cowboys House is a culturally safe boarding house which provides a home-away-from-home for over 100 young people from some of Australia’s most remote communities, enabling them to attend secondary school in Townsville.
Cowboys Community Foundation CEO Fiona Pelling said career transition was a key part of the students’ journeys at NRL Cowboys
“We’re proud to have been selected by Gunggandji Aerospace for the Raising Horizons pilot,” Fiona said.
“Our hope and goal for all of our NRL Cowboys House students is for them to reach their full potential, by graduating high school and going on to further study or meaningful employment,” she said.
“Most of our students would not have even considered a future in aviation and this program will open their eyes to some wonderful opportunities they might otherwise have never known existed.
“The program is being supported by amazing organisations from within the aviation industry, including Townsville Helicopters, State Emergency Services, Royal Flying Doctor Service, the Royal Australian Air Force and Toll Aviation, as well as our Career Transitions supporting partner Jet Zero Australia and their partner Airbus.”
Raising Horizons is funded by the Australian Government through its Women in Aviation program.
About Gunggandji Aerospace
Gunggandji Aerospace is a 100% Aboriginal and veteran-owned aerospace company. Growing the next generation of First Nation Aerospace and Aviation leaders is a core value within the company. Gunggandji Aerospace has invested heavily in developing communities of practice to support improved education outcomes and raise aspirations for First Nations students in regional areas. Our investment in First Nations apprenticeships within the company underscores this commitment.
