Theo Brennan - 2008 Aviation Scholarship winner
Meet Theo Brennan, former Aviation Gateway student and 2008 Aviation Scholarship winner from the Nelson/Marlborough Institute of Technology
“I have always been interested in aviation. I love getting to work on aircraft; that’s the fun part,” says Theo Brennan, an 18 year old aviation student at the Nelson/Marlborough Institute of Technology, Blenheim.
Theo’s introduction to the world of aviation began when he started working part-time after school at Transport Engineering Services, where he learnt a range of skills including gas cutting, grinding, machining, welding and fitting.
He was then able to gain further experience whilst still at school via the Gateway program. Gateway enables interested secondary school students to spend time in a local aviation workplace to see how the industry operates.
Theo had the opportunity to work unpaid for one morning per week at an engineering firm, where he gained experience in servicing diggers, trucks and cars; steam cleaning; bearing replacement and light repairs.
He then got a placement at Air Nelson, where he was able to assist with general maintenance checks on Q300 and Saab aircraft. This Gateway experience led to holiday work at Air Nelson, and the offer of casual employment until his traineeship is finished.
“Even if I am not able to get a job there at the end of it, it is so valuable being able to gain work experience in a company like that,” he says. “I have worked hard to do well at Gateway as I saw it as a stepping stone to my chosen career as an aircraft engineer.”
Now in his first year of a National Certificate in Aeronautical Maintenance Engineering, Theo is a recent winner of a $3,000 ATTTO Scholarship in aviation, which he intends to use towards course-related costs.
“It is a big investment. If you can, it is very valuable to get a taste of it first to see if it’s for you,” he says. “To succeed in aeronautical engineering you need to be mechanically minded and hands on, have good attention to detail, and be a very technical and practical kind of person.”
“I enjoy that it is so challenging; I am very motivated and plan to continue working hard. My goal is to become a licensed aircraft engineer and to one day be in charge of an aircraft engineering company.”
Scholarship presentation, Thursday 29 May, 2008.
L - R: RNZAF Wing Commander Rob van Lent, Scholarship winner Theo Brennan, ATTTO Industry Training Advisor Dave Evans.
