Lufthansa Technik Malta urges young people to take up courses in aircraft maintenance
If you ever dreamt of working in the field of aircraft maintenance, now is the chance! Lufthansa Technik Malta, which is seeking to expand its operations in Malta by October 2008, is strongly encouraging young people to follow aircraft maintenance...
If you ever dreamt of working in the field of aircraft maintenance, now is the chance! Lufthansa Technik Malta, which is seeking to expand its operations in Malta by October 2008, is strongly encouraging young people to follow aircraft maintenance courses.
Philip Zammit, employee development executive at Lufthansa Technik Malta, said the company will be employing more than 180 skilled employees on top of the current 160 plus workforce in mid-September 2008. This means that prospective employees should aim to obtain the necessary qualifications in the next few months.
Three aircraft maintenance courses, which lead to the necessary qualifications, are the Part-66 Aircraft Maintenance License 'A', MCAST Certificate in Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic, and the Sheet Metal and Composite Material course.
The courses will be offered at MCAST, which has been at the forefront of providing specialised training.
Mr Zammit said that although they are three distinct courses, each course is complimentary to the tasks that are normally carried out during an aircraft "C" (routine maintenance) or "D" (aircraft overhaul) maintenance schedule.
In a bid to break the mentality that maintenance work was traditionally seen to be a male domain, Lufthansa Technik Malta is also strongly encouraging the enrolment of women in these courses.
"We already have five women apprentices following a technical course at MCAST. I would say that the performance of these ladies, both in their academic studies and also during the practical work training, is on a par with their fellow male counterparts.
"So not only do we encourage female participation but also would like to see more females following any one of these courses."
Explaining the skills students will be acquiring, Mr Zammit said: "When following these courses, students will have the opportunity to learn the necessary technical knowledge and practical skills related to these maintenance cycles.
"To give an example, an aircraft is like a car that will need to have service interventions done at regular intervals. Unlike a car, however, in the airline industry these checks, inspections and maintenance work are highly regulated and obligatory."
He said that each job or intervention that is done on the aircraft needs to be recorded and signed for both by the person who has performed the work and other certifying staff employed with the company.
Hence, students who follow such courses do not only learn basic mechanical/electrical principles or sheet metal and composite skills but also other subjects, such as aviation legislation, mathematics, physics, basic aerodynamics and human factor training.
Quite naturally, these courses also have a high level of practical content as well, since they prepare students in a 'hands-on' approach and to be capable to perform the required duties at work.
By setting up shop in Malta and encouraging students to enrol in such courses, Lufthansa Technik has shown considerable trust in our country.
Mr Zammit said: "For a huge company like Lufthansa Technik to set up shop in Malta, it must have recognised the huge potential and other desired qualities within the Maltese workforce. There could not be a better seal of approval.
"Such investment does not only necessitate a good skills base from the employees but these same employees also need to be quality conscious, flexible, ready to learn and responsible in the conduct of their duties. Our ability to communicate well in English is also a definite plus."
He said the majority of Lufthansa Technik Malta employees are happy and motivated by the type of work that they do. "Working in this type of industry does not only require of a person to be technically qualified but also to have a good standard of appreciation towards quality, health and safety and be always prepared to embark on a lifelong journey of continuous learning.
"I believe that Lufthansa Technik Malta offers very good opportunities for career development. Apart from a number of specialised aircraft/engine type courses, on a periodical basis the company also offers the opportunity to sponsor employees to get further certification, such as the Category "B" and Category "C" licences.
It goes without saying that each employee will need to do his/her part in this as well. "As far as working in the hangar or, more specifically, working on the aircraft is concerned, it is an experience in itself, since, as one might imagine, aircraft are sophisticated machines that make use of a number of integrated systems, all working together to get this magnificent flying machine to do what it is designed to do in the most safe manner.
"Working in this type of industry will present the person with an opportunity to work with leading edge design systems and technology. I cannot think of any other industry in Malta that can actually offer learning opportunities such as these," Mr Zammit said.
Lufthansa Technik Malta will be holding a Career Awareness day on Thursday. This activity at Lufthansa Technik's main hangar in Luqa from 9.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. is open to the public. For more details contact Philip Zammit on 2560-4137 or e-mail philip.zammit@ltm.com.mt.