RNZAF celebrates a training milestone

On 3 July 2008, the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) celebrated a long-awaited training milestone. For the first time, Air Force trainees received civilian recognition for their military training.

This important first lays the foundation for other RNZAF trainees to have their regular military training formally recognised by the wider aviation industry at the same time.

A group of 8 trainees were awarded a National Certificate in Aircraft Servicing (Level 3) in Auckland, with further graduations to follow in both Ohakea and Woodburne. 

Warrant Office Michael Naus, Air Force Qualifications Officer, believes that offering national qualifications will be a great attraction and retention tool for the RNZAF because it means graduates now have training that the wider industry can recognise.

“The RNZAF currently has 300 - 400 trainees in a number of fields, from painting and furnishing to avionics, armament and aircraft trades, but it is difficult to communicate to people outside the Air Force exactly what our training means,” says Naus.

“Being able to offer qualifications that transfer to civilian industry enables personnel to stay as long as they wish with us, to the benefit of both the RNZAF and themselves. When they then choose to leave, it is with quantifiable skill sets that the industry can relate to.”

ATTTO Chief Executive Elizabeth Valentine was present to celebrate the graduation and believes it is a significant achievement for both the RNZAF and ATTTO.

“The RNZAF has always been recognised as a high quality trainer but this adds another dimension to the benefits they can offer recruits and in turn the wider industry,” says Valentine.

“The Air Force have been a long standing representative on our Aviation Training Council and Industry Advisory Groups. They provide significant support in the development of qualifications and information for resources and are always balanced with a view of the greater good of the wider aviation sector. Their achievements are a great example of the mutual benefits that can result from such a productive and proactive partnership.”

The certificates were presented by RNZAF Logistics Commander, Group Captain Andy Woods and ATTTO CEO Elizabeth Valentine. 

Group Captain Woods commented that the RNZAF provides the highest standard of training and experiences for its personnel, “A fact confirmed when I see our people operating alongside other air forces, or alongside industry as with our teams on the aircraft upgrade projects.”

“Until recently, we haven't been able to recognise that training in a way that was easily understood outside the RNZAF. These certificates represent one step in that process of recognition, and it is great for our people to make that step,” he says.

The National Certificate in Aircraft Servicing (Level 3) is the first of many national qualifications the RNZAF Training Group hopes to roll out in the near future, in partnership with ATTTO and other industry training organisations.

“Looking forward, we would really like to be able to offer our trainees qualifications at Level 4 and Level 6. We would also like to see civilian qualifications available for as many trades as possible,” concludes Naus.

Recipients of the National Certificate in Aircraft Servicing (Level 3) at RNZAF graduation in Auckland. 
Centre: ATTTO CE Elizabeth Valentine and RNZAF Logistics Commander, Group Captain Andy Woods.


Related links


The RNZAF is the winner of the 2008 Achievement Award for Excellence in Workplace Training, which recognises workplaces for outstanding support in training towards national qualifications. Click here to find out more information.

Click here to meet Paul Garlick, RNZAF Aircraft Serviceman and recent graduate.