N.Z. Shortage Of Aero Engineers

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32321, 12 June 1970, Page 12

N.Z. Shortage Of Aero Engineers

National Airways Corporation has found a shortage of aeronautical engineering graduates in New Zealand. Recently to fill two vacancies at Christchurch, NAC. had to go to London to get the graduates. Mr A. J. Stnaill, the airline's engineering manager,

said in Christchurch yesterday that although the Corporation advertised throughout the Dominion the few engineers who did apply did not meet N.A.C.’s requirements. Because there was not a big demand for aeronautical engineers in New Zealand the number of young men who took the qualifying course at either Auckland or Canterbury Universities seemed keen, on graduation, to go overseas, said Mr Smaill. • The two vacancies he referred to were for an assistant technical superintendent, and an aeronautical engineer in the technical department at the corporation's engineering headquarters at Christchurch Airport. In Britain there is a graduate apprentice scheme Which gives men practical experience. .

The response tp the N.A.C. advertisement in the British press was very good. Last month Mr Smail flew to London to select two applciants from a short list, of 10. The two men will arrive in Christchurch towards the end of next month. It was not the first time that the airline had had to go overseas for technical staff, said Mr Smaill.