Jetstar is to offer Australian Workplace Agreements (AWA) for future Pilot and Engineer recruits, helping support the airline's growth initiatives in both Australian and international markets by pursuing a more direct relationship across its workforce.

The value based carrier is using AWAs for the recruitment of new Pilots and Engineers entering the airline on conditions including terms and pay that will broadly mirror the current Enterprise Agreements (EBA) which separately cover existing Jetstar Pilots and Engineers.

Jetstar presently offers a range of workplace arrangements across its 1600 strong workforce including collective union and collective non-union agreements, common law contracts and AWAs.

The airline has existing separate Enterprise Agreements with both its Pilot and Engineer groups developed in consultation between staff and Jetstar management.

Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce said the fresh approach to recruitment in these work groups reflected the high levels to which the mature relationship between the airline's management and workforce had reached, which collaboratively would help drive a sustainable future growth path.

Mr Joyce said whilst there would be no change to the existing EBA arrangements now covering Jetstar Pilots and Engineers, the broader introduction of AWAs within the airline was well suited to a young and growing company, which required workplace flexibility to underpin its next expansionary phase.

Mr Joyce said the Qantas Group's recent announcement to acquire 9 additional Airbus A320s for Jetstar from late 2007 for more domestic and potential new short haul international services, would accompany a new fleet of Boeing 787s for its growing long haul international operations from August 2008.

"Such growth plans require Jetstar to adopt an ongoing flexible approach for our workplace arrangements and greater direct engagement between management and employees," Mr Joyce said.

"This takes on importance as significant market change is being brought about by competitive behaviour in our industry.

"Importantly there are mutual benefits to be gained for Jetstar, our Pilots and our Engineering workforce by the introduction of these new Agreements for future recruits."

Mr Joyce said the role of staff representative bodies including the Jetstar Pilot Council and Jetstar Engineering Consultative Committee would continue.

"The important role of these staff bodies has continued to be recognised in these new arrangements and their existing high level of engagement with Jetstar management will continue," Mr Joyce said.

The AWAs for new Pilot and Engineer recruits will be of 5 years in duration.