WYALKATCHEM District High School is developing an aviation program for Years 8 to 14 in partnership with the Wyalkatchem Shire and Sport Aviation Academy.
The program will consist of aeronautics in Years 8 to 9, Aviation Course of Study in Years 10, 11 and 12 and the option to then take a two year course through a training partner to gain a commercial pilot’s licence.
If it is successful in an application for Department of Education and Training endorsement, the school could later change its name to Wyalkatchem Aviation College.
High school principal Melissa Green said by attracting additional staff and students through enrolments in the proposed aviation college, the school would deliver the full array of secondary education option.
“The Wyalkatchem community, like other Wheatbelt communities, is experiencing a decline in population and we hope the proposed college could help reverse this trend,” she said.
“The aviation industry is experiencing a world labour shortage of pilots and engineers.
“This program will provide an opportunity for our young people to develop skills that could lead to full time employment on completion.”
Ms Green said the proposal makes it attractive for commercial airlines to form a business partnership with the college to develop their future work force.
Wyalkatchem Shire chief executive officer Sean Fletcher said it was an exciting project which will see the shire play a key role in the school’s future and will have a positive impact on the Wyalkatchem community and the Wheatbelt.
“The shire is excited about the development of the college in Wyalkatchem,” he said.
“We believe in this project so much that the Ms Green and I have worked up the strategic plan and business plan together.
“The shire will provide existing infrastructure to this project including initial residence for students and additional land when the college expands in subsequent years.”
The program is designed to deliver Recreation Aviation Australia qualifications, private and commercial pilots licenses to students through the high school, local business Sport Aviation Academy and a tertiary provider.
It aims to increase the total number of staff to more than 25 and students attending the Wyalkatchem District High School to more than 250 and provide boarding facilities for 100 students from outside the school’s intake area.
It also aims to deliver a broader range of courses for Year 11 and 12 students.
The project involves the Wheatbelt Development Commission, Wheatbelt Area Consultative Committee, Wyalkatchem Rotary, Merredin MLA Brendon Grylls, the Department of Education and Training, Country High Schools Hostels Authority, Sport Aviation Academy Wyalkatchem and community members.
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