EPT Aviation Training (Pty) Ltd t/a ALT Academy and Rhodesfield High School t/a Rhodesfield Engineering School of Specialisation in Aviation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop an Aviation Specialisation Pathway at the school. The agreement aims to introduce learners to aviation early and support progression from school into further education, occupational training and future employment.
The MoU was signed at ALT Academy by Ryan van Wijk, Chief Executive Officer of EPT Aviation Training (Pty) Ltd t/a ALT Academy; Mangaliso Solomon Edom, Principal of Rhodesfield High School, Ngoato Thamae, Deputy Chairperson and Mnyamezeli Ndevu, Techlink.
The proposed pathway progresses from aviation awareness and career exposure in the earlier grades to technical and safety exposure, with specialised aviation and occupational pathways from Grades 9 to 12. Potential fields include aircraft maintenance, avionics, pilot training, cabin crew, aviation security, airport and ground operations, aviation safety, occupational health and safety, emergency response, aviation administration, and related engineering and technical careers.
A key priority is collaboration to pursue Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) accreditation of the school’s technical workshops. Plans include maintaining relevant facilities and equipment and upskilling nominated educators to support accredited workshop-based learning. The proposed technical pathway includes exposure to the Occupational Certificate: Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic and Occupational Certificate: Avionics Mechanic, subject to applicable QCTO, entry, practical, workplace and aviation regulatory requirements.
ALT Academy’s proposed extramural portfolio includes first aid, occupational health and safety (OHS), safety, health and environment (SHE) representation, evacuation marshal and fire-safety training for learners and school personnel. Grade 12 learners would also be introduced to Workplace Essential Skills, covering professional communication and conduct, CV development, interview preparation, digital workplace skills, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, workplace safety and aviation workplace orientation.
The proposed Educator Development Stream includes Learning and Development Facilitator, Assessment Practitioner and Workplace Mentor programmes, alongside OHS, first aid, evacuation and fire-safety development. It aims to strengthen the school’s own capacity for facilitation, assessment, learner support, mentorship and practical workplace learning, helping educators guide learners through further training and career decisions.
Learners may also gain exposure to airports, airlines, aircraft maintenance organisations, engineering and avionics environments, aviation training facilities, aviation security and ground handling operations. These opportunities remain subject to availability, approvals and participating organisations’ operational requirements.
Under the MoU, the school will provide access to identified workshops and support learner and educator participation. ALT Academy/EPT Aviation will lead and support the planned accreditation process, workshop maintenance, educator upskilling, qualified facilitation and relevant safety training. A joint steering committee will monitor implementation, address operational matters and guide development of a future commercial agreement.
Progress will be monitored through learner participation, attendance, completion, assessment results, certification and progression, alongside educator participation, industry exposure and further education and training outcomes. The programme is intended to evolve in response to learner demand, industry needs, emerging occupations, employment trends, further education opportunities and applicable QCTO and regulatory requirements.
The MoU provides the framework for developing these proposed programmes and pathways. Through the partnership, ALT Academy and Rhodesfield High School aim to help learners make informed career choices and prepare for further education, internships, apprenticeships and future opportunities in aviation.
