From Apprentice to Manager: 46 Years in Qantas Engineering

From Apprentice to Manager: 46 Years in Qantas Engineering

Starting out

I joined Qantas on 10 January 1979 as a Ground Engineer Electrical/Instrument Apprentice, what’s now called Avionics. Back then, the trades included Engine, Airframe, Aircraft Sheet Metal, Electrical/Instrument, and Radio.

I still remember my first day reporting to Mascot Jet Base, alongside 49 other apprentices. We were divided into groups by trade, completed our paperwork, and began our training.

The first nine months were spent at the Qantas Apprentice Training School, learning how aircraft fly and developing practical skills like bench fitting, using imperial measurement, filing metal, drilling and tapping holes, overhauling engines, welding, and operating lathes and milling machines.

At the time, maintenance work at Mascot included early model 747s (including the SP and Combi versions), RAAF C130A Hercules, and A4 Skyhawk fighter bombers for the Australian Navy.

A career in aviation

Over the past 45 years, I’ve seen Qantas Engineering evolve but one thing has remained — the skill and dedication of our people. Today, I’m Manager of Qantas Engineering Pipeline Programs, leading a great team that coordinates all aspects of our apprenticeship programs across Qantas Engineering, QantasLink Engineering, and Network Turbine Solutions in Perth.

Our work covers everything from promoting the program at career events, recruiting apprentices, onboarding them into different business units, providing ongoing support, and helping them secure permanent positions.

We currently have 223 apprentices in training across the Group. Most people are surprised to learn we still do the majority of our maintenance in Australia. That’s why it’s so important to share our story and showcase the scale of work happening here.

Seeing careers take off

The most rewarding part of my role is watching apprentices grow during their training and seeing where their careers take them. Over 3,500 people have graduated from the program during my time, moving into roles like Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, Maintenance Supervisors, Senior Managers (including Heads of Department), 11 Captains, and 7 First Officers. Many have also taken on leadership roles across the aviation industry.

Advice for others

Aviation has been an incredibly rewarding industry for me. My advice for anyone considering a career here is to be prepared to learn, ask questions, and listen to the advice of experienced colleagues. What you get out of your career is directly proportional to the effort you’re willing to put in.

Memorable moments

One of my favourite early memories is a black-and-white photo taken in my first week during our company induction at the Apprentice School in Mascot — there were 50 apprentices in that intake. Another photo, taken during a workshop rotation, even made it into the 1980 Annual Financial Report. (Image below).

Russell Burgess, Manager, Qantas Engineering Future Pipeline Programs