Work experience aims high for the sky
Broome Senior High School Year 11 student Jettson Brown has been on a work placement at CHC Helicopter’s operations at the Broome International Airport once a week since early June. Jettson came across CHC through the Work Inspirations program hosted by the school and supported by Shell Australia. Andy Chapman, our Educational and Vocational Training Coordinator, worked with CHC to establish the program.
“This is a breakthrough for Broome Senior High School to have a student involved with CHC and the expanding helicopter operations at Broome International Airport. We are definitely supportive and it is part of our efforts to engage with the oil and gas industry and their sub-contractors,” said Mr Chapman.
David Irvine, CHC’s Broome Base Manager said, “Jettson has spent time with every aspect of the operation in order to have a good overview and understanding of how everything comes together to have the end result of the helicopters flying approximately 500 km offshore daily. He has spent time with the operations officers, being the hub of the base, the ramp staff, engineering, stores and the pilot group. Although there is a lot to take in, Jettson has remained enthusiastic to learn although clearly his main interest is in the flying side, which is great as the world needs more pilots”.
“I think it has given Jettson an appreciation of the work required behind the scenes to keep the helicopters flying, taking into account CHC has approximately 70 full time staff rotating through the base on any given month. Jettson will be spending some more of his summer holiday time at CHC working with the Flight team to understand flight planning and development pathway to become a pilot”.
“It has been great to have Jettson with us each week. It is so important for CHC to ensure that students have an opportunity to understand the aviation industry and consider it as a potential future career”.