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Proud
history continues
The
RAAF School of Technical Training officially received its unit title
on December 1, 1952. Before then the unit went through many names
and functions.
The first formal technical training was undertaken at No. 1 Aircraft
Depot in Laverton in 1935, where Fitter Aeros and Metal Riggers
were trained. No. 1 School of Technical Training was formed in 1939
and Melbourne Technical College delivered training. This was the
beginning of a long association with private training providers.
1STT conducted courses for wireless telegraph operators (air and
ground), electricians, instrument makers and welders.
With World War II came an unprecedented increase in Air Force training
rates and by March 1941 new courses were introduced. 1STT had trained
23,647 personnel by the time it was disbanded on December 22, 1945.
No. 1 Engineering School was formed on March 1, 1940, at the Melbourne
Showgrounds and 58,695 recruits successfully completed technical
training by the time the school was disbanded on May 8, 1946.
The school retained its war training role and was transferred to
the facilities vacated by No. 5 Aircraft Depot at RAAF Base Wagga
and was re-formed as the RAAF Ground Training School in March 1946.
The war-time hangars were not suited for comfort, and it was not
until 1956 that combustion heating was provided in the classroom.
A detachment was formed at Rathmines and Canberra from 1949 to 1951
to overcome the overcrowding problems at the base.
In 1952 the newly named RAAF School of Technical Training began
an extensive expansion program of the accommodation and teaching
facilities. By 1956 a squadron structure consisted of the HQ, Base
Squadron Wagga, Instructional Squadron, Apprentice and Junior Trainee
Squadron, Adult Trainee Squadron and National Service Training Squadron.
The RAAF School of Clerical and Supply Training was formed and the
focus of RAAFSTT was again on the delivery of Technical Training.
During the late 1980s training reforms heralded RAAFSTT as the major
provider of aviation training for the ADF.
The first Aeroskills Course for Navy began in 1992.
By the end of 1993, the School of Radio had completed its transition
from RAAF Laverton to RAAFSTT. The technical restructure of the
Air Force in 1993 signalled the end of the highly successful apprenticeship
scheme and increased the diversity of courses on offer at RAAFSTT.
NSW TAFE was contracted to provide part of the training and RAAFSTT’s
role expanded to provide training for Navy and Army.
In 1996, the School of Clerical and Supply Training at RAAF Wagga
was incorporated into RAAFSTT. RAAF School of Supply Training became
the Non-Technical Training Squadron, which conducted training related
to catering, stewards, clerical and supply. In 1998, RAAFSTT became
responsible for management of Explosive Ordnance Training Squadron
at Defence Establishment Orchard Hills and Training Control Flight
at SUWAG, which broadened the scope of RAAFSTT.
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