The Rudolf Perešin Aeronautical Technical School in Velika Gorica has marked a major milestone – 50 years of educating generations of professionals who today form the backbone of both civil and military aviation in Croatia. The anniversary was celebrated on March 25, the birth date of pilot and Homeland War hero Rudolf Perešin, after whom the school is named, with a formal academy held in Velika Gorica, as reported by VG Danas.
The event gathered representatives of government ministries, the Croatian Air Force, aviation institutions and industry partners, alongside former and current students and staff. During the ceremony, scholarships were awarded to the tenth generation of students as part of the long-standing cooperation with the Croatian Air Force, further highlighting the strong link between the school and the military sector.
School principal Vedran Šarac emphasised that the institution has grown into one of the key pillars of aviation education in Croatia. He noted that the anniversary is not only a celebration of past achievements, but also of future generations currently being trained, underlining the importance of knowledge, courage and continuous development, according to VG Danas.
Today, the school is attended by around 360 students, while demand for enrolment significantly exceeds available places. According to the principal, between five and seven applicants compete for each available spot, confirming the school’s status as one of the most sought-after vocational institutions in the country. Its uniqueness lies in specialised programmes covering aircraft maintenance technicians and air traffic-related technical roles, with curricula continuously adapted to industry needs.
Despite its success, the school faces significant infrastructure challenges. It has operated in the same premises within the Zagreb Airport complex for five decades, and the current facilities no longer meet modern educational requirements. The lack of a dedicated hangar and modern training infrastructure limits further development, although there is ongoing discussion about potential expansion in cooperation with state authorities and the airport concessionaire, reports VG Danas.
Industry partnerships play a crucial role in student training, with organisations such as ZTC, Croatia Airlines, the Croatian Air Force, Zagreb Airport, and the Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences contributing to hands-on education. Through this cooperation, students gain practical experience that prepares them for the labour market.
A particularly notable initiative is the scholarship programme with the Croatian Air Force, through which more than 100 students have already transitioned into military aviation careers. This underlines the school’s strategic importance in developing personnel directly involved in maintaining and advancing national security capabilities.
The school is also active in international cooperation, including Erasmus+ programmes, which have enabled students to gain experience in major European aviation centres. These projects, worth more than €400,000, further enhance the quality of education.
The anniversary ceremony also showcased students’ talents beyond technical fields, while a highlight of the evening was a performance by former student and The Voice winner Martin Kosovec. Outside the venue, visitors could explore aircraft displays, including a glider and a gyrocopter, reinforcing the school’s close ties with the aviation community.
As principal Šarac concluded, the school’s key goal for the future is to secure adequate facilities that match the demands of modern aviation training. Achieving this, he stressed, would be the most important step ahead of the school’s 60th anniversary, writes VG Danas.
