NMIT training gets lift from opening of aviation workshop
BY MICHAEL BERRY
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The partnership between NMIT and the Royal New Zealand Air Force is away flying with the opening of an aviation engineering facility at Base Woodbourne.
The building was to be officially opened by Defence Minister Wayne Mapp this afternoon.
The opening of the $1.2 million hangar is one of two major achievements for the institute's aviation department this year.
It has also won the tender to train air force engineering personnel after it proved it could achieve the same standard of training as the previous tender holder in Australia.
Until now, the school has been able to cater to 80 students annually, but can now take up to 160. It has employed five more fulltime tutors, taking the total to 20.
The building was paid for by Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) through a government grant and built on Ministry of Defence land.
It has three workshops, two classrooms and office space.
NMIT have run aviation courses in an air force hangar next to the new structure since the Marlborough District Council helped forge a partnership between the two parties in 2003.
Head of the NMIT School of Aviation Steve Holtum said the building had given the aviation school a "new face" and a more independent identity.
There was also more room for the air force to store equipment in the old hangar, as well as more room for NMIT training in the new workshops.
"We were all in each other's way a bit before, but now we've got our own space."
Marlborough Mayor Alistair Sowman said it was gratifying that NMIT had "taken ownership" of the engineering programme.
"NMIT can now legitimately market itself as the country's leading provider of aviation training."
The air force will provide four Mitsubishi MU-2F planes it bought for $6m as well as other new training aides for students.
The chief executive of NMIT, Tony Gray, said there was a "recognised need" in New Zealand and around the world for well-trained and qualified aircraft engineers, despite the recent news that aviation engineering company Safe Air is about to lay off 109 staff.
Students were enrolling with the polytechnic's aviation school from all around New Zealand, and Mr Gray was optimistic about their future. "The vast majority [of graduates] will end up working in private companies all around New Zealand and also with the Air Force."
Mr Sowman said he hoped Marlborough would remain a key centre for aircraft maintenance training, despite the staff cuts at Safe Air. "I think [the Safe Air staff cuts] are more related to one particular contract."
The opening of the new aviation school complex follows staff cuts at NMIT's Budge St campus.
Three management and two administration roles in Blenheim were dropped as part of restructuring, which aimed to shave $1m off the polytechnic's spending.
NMIT'S LATE CHRISTMAS PRESENT
Cost: $1.2 million Construction started in March 2009 and finished in December The building has 1500 square metres of floor space Consists of three workshops and two classrooms The air force bought more than $8m of training aids and equipment for the school's use Up to 160 students can now be trained each year at the school NMIT has employed five more full-time tutors, bringing the total to 20
- The Marlborough Express
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NMIT provide aviation courses. Air force has provided technical equipments to this aviation training school. This s one of the leading schools.