Richard Lauder’s Post

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Experienced Chair and ex-CEO, now focusing on climate change mitigation and the environment

This post by Air New Zealand has me confused. Take 30 young aspiring pilots to the US, and then the Middle East, to fast track them into pilot jobs with the company. On the surface- fantastic. But what about all the already trained commercial pilots? New Zealanders that made their own effort to get a commercial pilots license, at Air NZ endorsed flight schools nonetheless. Qualified commercial pilots, but then having no way to bridge the gap to meet Air NZ starting experience criteria? For example: My son is a qualified commercial pilot, trained at an Air NZ endorsed flight school in NZ. And he has always, since he was young, wanted to fly with Air NZ. But there is no path from spending two years in training and flying 270 hours to actually getting a job with Air NZ. Over $100k already spent, personally, in an Air NZ endorsed course. Now slowly trying to get hours up in brainless circles over Canterbury while working another job. But now Air NZ wants to “fill it’s pilot shortage” by bypassing 100s of NZ pilots already qualified and instead support complete new starters on a fast-track-to-pilots program. Wouldn’t it be cheaper, and more appropriate, to address the skills or hours bridge-to-work for the large number of already qualified NZ pilots first? The ones qualified from flight schools you endorsed? In limbo. Yet keen, and ready, for a job. Both cheaper and fairer I would suggest.

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✈️ Taking off: The Mangōpare Air New Zealand Pilot Cadetship Our new pilot training programme accelerates the journey to becoming a commercial pilot from 24-36 months to approximately 14 months. We want to inspire more Kiwis to pursue a career as a pilot and ensure we can continue to meet future demand for highly skilled pilots. If you are an aspiring Kiwi aviator, apply here! https://lnkd.in/gAtRP_VE

Phil Guerin CMC PMP SIP

Strategy delivery consultant

2mo

It is a serious issue if students and taxpayers invest in vocational training that does not link to a career. Nursing is another example. Tertiary education needs closer links to employment - cadetships, apprenticeships (not just trades), paid internships, post-graduate research linked to problems that need solving. Our productivity will remain poor if we don't let keen, bright people contribute to our economy.

Mark Rose

CE at The Rees Hotel & Luxury Apartments

2mo

Given recent performance, you would wonder if Air New Zealand could do with a dose of aviation qualified people on the Board and as CEO....

Alan Hucks

Venture Development | Research Commercialisation | Climate Tech | Creative Technology | Digital Assets

2mo

If it’s not thier idea they’ll be C Listers…

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Richard Rowley

Retired. Author and thinker. Philosopher.

2mo

The CEO is an A-Lister in the PM’s world. 

Thomas Evanson, MEng

BI Consultant | Data Archetect | Chemical Engineer

2mo

The less you know the further you go in New Zealand.

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James Pomeroy MInstD

Chief Executive Officer - Pomeroy Group | Trustee | Director

2mo

I have a friend who was in the same situation - he ended up doing the freight runs in Canada before returning to NZ. Moral of the story, you shouldn't have to leave NZ to become qualified / experienced enough to do any role! Sometimes HR/ Recruiters have a lot to answer for in this space as well; and thats coming from one!

Matthew Needham FCPA

Top Leadership, Culture Change and Corporate FP&A Voice, Speaker, Consultant, Coach, Culture, Performance. Award winning CFO

2mo

This makes no sense - In 2020 a lot of pilots and flight crews were stood down. Whatever happened to them too?

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