The Ekka won’t be the only show in town today with more than 7000 visitors expected to attend the 14th Aviation Expo at Brisbane Airport, showcasing careers in the thriving aerospace and defence industries in Queensland.
Minister for State Development and Manufacturing Cameron Dick said aviation is fundamental to the Palaszczuk Government’s aerospace industry strategy, diversifying Queensland’s economy and ensuring Queensland workers have access to the jobs of the future.
“The Expo is organised by , which was established by the Queensland Government in 2001 to support the development and growth of aviation and aerospace industries in both the Australian and international markets,” Mr Dick said.
“Queensland’s aircraft manufacturing and maintenance sector alone provides over 4200 jobs, across more than 300 enterprises.
“This week I announced our new push to get more jobs from a bigger share of the aerospace maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) market in the Asia Pacific region.
“By 2025, a 30 per cent shortfall in the global aircraft and maintenance workforce is expected, with Australia and the Asia-Pacific region particularly affected.
“Queensland has an excellent opportunity to help meet this shortfall and grow even more jobs in our aviation, defence and aerospace sectors.
Mr Dick said the Aircraft Experience Zone will be a major attraction to the expo, featuring up to 45 iconic military and civil aircraft that attendees will have the unique opportunity to see up close.
“This is the largest display of static aircraft in the history of this event,” he said.
Aviation Australia Chief Executive Officer Bill Horrocks said their main campus in Brisbane delivered training to over 1500 aircraft maintenance engineers, cabin crew, fixed wing and remote pilots annually.
“Aviation Australia is the largest basic maintenance engineering and independent flight attendant training provider in the Southern Hemisphere,” Mr Horrocks said.
“Our graduates are employed in the aviation industry worldwide.”
Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman said this year’s Expo would feature a new Aerospace Apprentice Demonstration Zone.
“We know there is a demand for more young Queenslanders to follow an exciting career in aviation,” Ms Fentiman said.
“This year’s expo will feature a dedicated area to promote the industry’s support for more apprentices and inspire young people to consider a career in the aerospace industry.”
“The Aerospace Apprentice Demonstration Zone is aimed at showcasing real life jobs as aircraft maintenance engineers.
The Aerospace Apprentice Demonstration Zone will include apprentices from Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia, TAE Aerospace, Northrop Grumman, Air Gold Coast, Pacific Turbines, LifeFlight and Aviation Australia.
The Expo program also includes simulated aircraft evacuations, avionics workshop demonstrations, drone racing, insight into an operational hangar environment, and skills and careers seminars.
Exhibitors include University of Southern Queensland, BASAIR, Griffith University, QUT, Air Gold Coast, TAFE Queensland, CQ University, Airways Aviation, GoFly Aviation, LifeFlight, Flight Experience Brisbane, Aerospace Gateway to Industry Schools, and Qantas Airways.
To register for this free event, visit
