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RMIT and Leidos will expand a scholarship program for aviation students in its second year.
The scholarship, which this year offered $120,000 shared by five final-year students completing aviation degrees at RMIT, will be expanded to $150,000 for six students in 2025.
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“We want to help address workforce challenges and futureproof the aviation industry, which is why we’re ensuring RMIT graduates are ready for jobs in Australia and across the region,” said RMIT Aviation Academy Director Lea Vesic.
According to 2024 scholarship recipient Amber Kennett, the funding helped her take up mentorship opportunities, attend site visits, and undertake specialised flight training.
“When I first started studying, I wasn’t aware of the many different career paths that are available to me. The Leidos scholarship has really allowed me to consider other streams within the industry, as alternatives to airline flying,” she said.
“The scholarship has also offered opportunities to connect with industry professionals and a range of experiences, including special mission training flights.”
Speaking in February, Vesic said that with skills shortages in the sector, there will be a “critical demand for skilled pilots over the next 20 years”.
“As a national leader in aviation education and with the largest university-owned aviation fleet in the country, the RMIT Aviation Academy is well placed to respond to these challenges and will play a critical role in training the next generation of aviators,” Vesic said.
“Partnerships like this are critical not only for supporting new pilots to enter the workforce but to make sure they develop the skills and can obtain the practical experience required to ensure they are job-ready.
“The scholarship funding from Leidos includes support for recipients to complete additional training, focusing on the specialised pilot skills Leidos requires for its unique and diverse operations, meaning students conclude their training ready for a career in special mission flying.”
According to Leidos Airborne Solutions Australia vice president James Woodhams, the company is committed to addressing the skill shortage by supporting a future workforce.
“We know that there are high barriers to entry to becoming a pilot, including the cost associated with flight training. We want to provide students with not only financial support, but with opportunities to learn about the flying experiences available to them beyond airline careers,” Woodhams said earlier this year.
“We do very specialist flying to save lives and protect national interests, and we want to contribute to building the skills required for these missions.”
