The Swire Sky-Flyer Work-integrated Learning Programme

Aircraft engineering student spreading wings through internship experience

“The Swire Sky-Flyer Work-integrated Learning Programme”, supported by The Swire Group Charitable Trust, was launched in the 2020/21 academic year to enhance Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) for VTC students. During their three-year study period, students will be offered internship, scholarship, workplace subsidy allowance and opportunities for industry visits and seminars to enhance their vocational and professional experience. Students can also travel to Mainland and overseas to receive skills training and broaden their horizons. The scheme is applicable to students in the specialised fields of engineering, aviation, logistics and services, and in hospitality. Around 1,200 of them benefit from the programme.

Leung Chi Sum, a Higher Diploma graduate in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, became an intern at the Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited (HAECO) and undertook field study in Hong Kong International Airport under “The Swire Sky-Flyer Work-Integrated Learning Programme”. This gave him the opportunity to apply what he learnt from the classroom in real-life work settings. He said: “I am happy to have personally experienced the process of aircraft engineering in a factory, with the chance to closely scrutinise aircraft parts, both large and small, and learn the various procedures of aircraft engineering hands on.”

Using scholarship fund to build knowledge

Due to his excellent internship performance, Chi Sum has been awarded the “Outstanding Work-integrated Learning Award.” Now pursuing a mechanical engineering programme with a university, he uses his scholarship fund wisely to buy reference books and videos of industry-related tutorials to constantly enrich his professional knowledge.

Unbridled passion in aviation industry despite the pandemic 

Although the aviation industry has been badly hit by COVID-19, Chi Sum’s passion towards aircraft engineering remains unchanged. “Demand for air cargo services has not diminished while air passenger services will gradually return to normal. I am confident of the future of aircraft engineering.”