On Thursday 23 January Regional Development Australia (RDA) Hunter and Pennant International Group signed an MOU marking the international expansion of the UK Aviation Skills Charter in Australia.

This new alliance will see the advancement of the Aviation Skills Charter, which was developed by Pennant and the Aviation Skills Foundation to ensure a skilled workforce for the UK’s large aviation sector, by: the development of internationally transferable aviation workforce skills; aviation industry knowledge-exchange between Australia and the UK; and the development of new international industry collaborations.

RDA Hunter will contribute its knowledge and track-record in developing and implementing industry-skilling and workforce development programs as well as it’s experience in developing successful industry collaborations.

RDA Hunter is inviting Hunter industry to partner in the expansion of the Skills Charter in Australia. Companies involved in defence and aviation industry are invited to collaborate with RDA Hunter to promote future careers and skill development within the aviation industry. The Charter promotes and recognises the potential that anyone can pursue a career in aviation and aims to develop partnerships across the industry, as well as pathways interfaced with jobs, regional academies and bringing together information and communication networks to supply the necessary information to those seeking it.

Mr John said, “We are delighted to be partnering with the Pennant Group and the Aviation Skills Foundation. Our program participants will benefit from their international experience and knowledge in aviation careers training. We are thrilled to be starting a new journey with our aviation partners which sees proven training packages available to students in the Hunter and Shoalhaven regions as part of the International Charter for Aviation Skills. For those who are interested in defence, aerospace and aviation careers, this means they will be equipped with internationally comparable skills.”

The signing of the MOU builds on Pennant’s successful on-going relationship as an aviation industry skilling partner in the UK and is the next step in developing an ongoing partnership with Australia through RDA Hunter. The collaboration was initiated when RDA Hunter’s Director of Regional Development and Executive Officer, Trevor John, visited the International Aviation Academy – Norwich (IAA-N) in December 2019.

Pennant’s CEO Phil Walker, said “I’m delighted to be signing the MOU with RDA today. I look forward to seeing the Charter and RDAs STEM programs continuing to enhance the Hunter region student’s current training programmes, and to see the development of training across New South Wales and the rest of Australia.”

Business and industry interested in knowing more about the Aviation Skills Charter or working with RDA Hunter to progress it in Australia is encouraged to contact RDA Hunter’s Trevor John at trevor.john@rdahunter.org.au.

PENNANT INTERNATIONAL GROUP

Pennant International Limited was established over 60 years ago. The Group operates worldwide, with offices in Europe, North America and Australasia.

The Group is listed on AIM with the Head Office in Cheltenham, UK. Pennant has grown through a combination of product expansion, customer development and acquisition.

The Group exports its range of technical training solutions around the world to train the next generation of engineers in defence and regulated civilian sectors. Products and services include electrical and mechanical trainers, E-learning, Virtual Reality, Emulation, interactive Technical Documentation and Media Services and many more related skills and products.

In addition to our operational centres worldwide, the Group has collaborative arrangements with a strategic range of partners and agents in many countries and can truly claim a global presence.