ANZSCO: 3231

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE ENGINEERS

maintain and repair aircraft structures, and avionic and mechanical systems. This Unit Group contains the following occupations included on the 2012 Skilled Occupation List (SOL): 323111 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics) 323112 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical) 323113 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Structures) Indicative Skill Level Most occupations in this Unit Group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience in AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3). At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. Specialised Occupation Criteria Long lead time Aircraft Maintenance Engineers meet the criteria for long lead time, as entry to this occupation requires a substantial training commitment. Of apprentices and trainees, 67.3% take three years or more (full-time equivalent) to complete their training (NCVER Apprentices and Trainees, 2011). Of vocational education and training (VET) students, 64.8% take more than 1000 contact hours to complete their training (NCVER Students and Courses, 2011). High use Aircraft Maintenance Engineers meet the criteria for high use, showing that the skills which people have acquired through education and training are being deployed for the uses intended. There is a strong match at 84.6% between the intended occupation of VET students and subsequent employment as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (NCVER Student Outcomes, 20082011). As tradespersons, Aircraft Maintenance Engineers are expected to have a level of skill commensurate with a Certificate III/IV or higher qualification. Of those employed as Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, 69% were found to possess this level of skill (ABS Survey of Education and Work, 2011). High risk Aircraft Maintenance Engineers also meet the criteria for high risk/high disruption. This indicates that shortage of skills causes significant cost to the community and/or economy. Aircraft Maintenance Engineers may be required to be licensed with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority in some states and territories. Aircraft Maintenance Engineers are important to meet government policy priorities. These include transport innovation and maintaining Australias aviation safety record.

SOL Summary Over the five years to November 2011, employment in this occupation increased by 18.0%. Future growth to 2015-16 is also expected to be above average, at 18.8%. The unemployment rate for this occupation remains very low and the number of vacancies has continued to increase over the last 12 months, while they have been down on average for all occupations. In recent years, completions in VET courses and apprenticeships leading to this occupation have fallen by over 11% per year, indicating that supply is not keeping pace with growth in demand. On balance the demand for all occupations within the Unit Group of Aircraft Maintenance Engineers is expected to exceed supply over the medium to longer term. The occupations within this Unit Group are included on the 2012 SOL but continue to be flagged for further monitoring of labour market conditions due to shortages no longer being widespread.

Occupation trends ANZSCO: 3231

Aircraft Maintenance Engineers

Employment level 12 400 Almost all workers are employed full-time (96.5%). 6 digit employment (2006 Census) 3231-11 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics) 2900 3231-12 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical) 2320 3231-13 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Structures) 620 Employment growth Over the five years to November 2011, employment in this occupation increased by 18.0% (compared with growth of 10.4% for all occupations). Employment over the next five years is expected to increase by 18.8%. Unemployment rate 0.4% compared with 3.1% for all occupations. Educational profile 71.6% have a Certificate III or IV. Vacancies The Internet Vacancy Index (IVI) rose by 11.2% over the 12 months to November 2011. Vacancies for all occupations fell by 7.1%. Gender6.5% of workers in this occupation are female (compared with 45.5% for all occupations). Labour turnover Annually, 11.3% of Mechanical Engineering Trades Workers (which includes Aircraft Maintenance Engineers) leave their occupation group, creating some potential job openings (this compares with 14.2% across all occupations). Age profile The median age is 40 years and 38.3% of workers are aged 45 years and over (compared with 38.5% for all occupations). Earnings Median full-time weekly earnings (before tax) are $1380 compared with $1050 for all occupations. Graduate outcomes National Centre for Vocational Education Research data are at a highly aggregated level, combining outcomes across electrotechnology, automotive, asset management and engineering under the title Engineering and related technologies. However, for this group, 91.5% of 2010 Certificate III/IV graduates were employed (82.6% full-time) six months after graduating, 58.9% of whom were employed in the occupation group for which they trained. Skill shortagesShortages of Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (Avionics and Mechanical) were evident continuously between 2006 and 2010. Research undertaken in 2011, however, suggests there are no longer widespread shortages. Labour market 3231-11, 12 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics and Mechanical) Shortages were apparent between 2006 and 2010. Research undertaken in late 2011, though, suggests most employers had little difficulty filling their vacancies. There has not been a marked rise in the proportion of vacancies filled over the past few years for Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (Mechanical), and research results suggest only a small number of employers (those who required specialist licensing or experience or were located in a regional area) had difficulty recruiting in 2011. Availability of Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (Avionics) improved in 2011 and a significantly higher proportion of surveyed vacancies were filled compared with 2010 with employers attracting relatively large fields of applicants and generally filling their vacancies without difficulty. Slightly more than 70% of surveyed vacancies for Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (Mechanical) were filled and there were, on average, 1.1 suitable applicants per vacancy. A higher proportion, 82%, of vacancies for Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (Avionics) were filled and there were 1.7 suitable applicants per vacancy. Employers were seeking trade-qualified and accredited Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, with some requiring Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers. Some employers, particularly large employers in metropolitan areas, found recruitment relatively easy but employers in regional areas and general aviation companies reported some difficulty filling vacancies. Unsuitable applicants lacked qualifications, licensing or did not have experience in employers particular aircraft type.

Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR)

January 2012

3231-13 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Structures) This occupation is not individually assessed due to small employment numbers. Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Employed Persons Nov 2001 to Nov 2011 graph has been removed to enable this document to be available to people with information accessibility needs. The image is included in the PDF version of this publication. Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Internet Vacancy Index 3 monthly average Nov 2006 to Nov 2011 graph has been removed to enable this document to be available to people with information accessibility needs. The image is included in the PDF version of this publication.

Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR)

January 2012