Daniel Carlin : New Zealand Educated

Name/qualifications and where did you study?
Dan Carlin, I studied for only 36 weeks at Air New Zealand Airline Training in Auckland. There, I graduated with the National Certificate in Aeronautical Engineering (Level 3). I needed this qualification to become an apprentice aircraft engineer with Air New Zealand.

Describe what you do

While I am completing my apprenticeship I assist with the routine maintenance of Air New Zealand’s wide body aircraft, in other words, the big planes, and yes, they are still maintained here in NZ.

Why did you decide to follow this career path?

I had an interest in engineering and wanted to travel, this job allows me both. Aircraft engineering is a truly global career, once qualified I will be able to work almost anywhere. The aviation industry is growing massively and I want to be a part of that.

What do you love about your job?
There is always something new to do and learn, and no two days are the same. Nothing beats working in the hangar and being involved in keeping these 200 Million dollar plus aircraft in the sky. At the end of the day I get to sit back and watch the results of my hard work taking off down the runway.

What advice do you have for other young people wanting to do something similar?

Money potential?

If you enjoy travel and are mechanically minded this is a good industry to get into. After only one year of study I am earning a salary and being paid to learn. I will earn about $30,000 in my first year, not bad considering some of my friends from school still have two years of Uni to complete. By then I should be earning between 50 and 60k, with the potential to earn a lot more with experience.

Personal qualities needed to do your job

An aptitude for mechanical things, patience, discipline and integrity.

Auckland

Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city, with 1.3 million people.

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Daniel Carlin

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