5 Myths and Facts around Working in Aviation
The job market is expected to grow even more competitive as a result of Covid-19’s disastrous influence on the entire world and the majority of its sectors. Millions of employees have been laid off or lost employment contracts as a result of the coronavirus, and the UK in particular is bracing for one of the worst times of unemployment in a century – during one of the greatest economic recessions.
In the midst of the dread and gloom, many people are reassessing what they really desire from their lives. A new professional path may provide the solution for increased stability, a more fascinating day-to-day employment, or simply a higher quality of life – but with so many possibilities available, how can you find the best fit?
Here are five common misconceptions about working in the Aerospace & Aviation sector, as well as five facts to dispel them.
1. Myth: It is excessively competitive
Fact: The sector is facing one of the most severe skills shortages in the world.
According to the latest forecasts from Boeing, the global need for pilots will treble in the next seven years. Airlines will need to recruit and train 800,000 new commercial pilots for passenger planes and 98,000 new private jet pilots during the next two decades.
The skills deficit also affects the international Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) sector, which has already seen a considerable decline in new technician hiring. Over two-thirds (42 percent) of Aerospace & Aviation executives said a labour shortage in the maintenance technician area is the most pressing business issue in the next decade, ahead of Brexit, climate change, and airport capacity.
While the talent scarcity offers an unprecedented problem for sector CEOs, it also gives an amazing opportunity for prospective employees. Recruiters and hiring managers are already expanding their talent acquisition and training programmes to include a larger, younger, and more diverse pool of talent than ever before.
2. Myth: A University Degree Is Required
Fact: You can enter the industry at any point during your career.
A widely held assumption in the industry is that unless you choose and commit to a single career path at an early age, you will be permanently barred from many professional opportunities. Surprisingly, this is not the situation in the aerospace business. Despite a strong emphasis on science, mathematics, technology, and engineering, the sector is increasingly accepting of those lacking in these abilities and training them in-house.
Apprenticeships are rapidly becoming a new industry norm in the industry – even pilot apprenticeships are available to individuals of any age or experience. Major international airlines such as Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, easyJet, and TUI currently offer accessible training for individuals of any age, whether at the entry level or requiring A Levels or equivalent. Qantas, Australia’s largest airline, is investing $15 million in a pilot school, while Emirates has already constructed a $135 million flying academy. Many other airlines are developing their own training programmes that do not require degrees, A Levels, GCSEs, or technical skills.
Certain positions demand particular credentials and course completions for safety, which must be renewed on a regular basis. These are typically free or low-cost, sponsored by specific firms, and require very little time investment. Electrical Wiring Interconnect Systems (EWIS), Human Factors, Airside Safety, and Fuel Tank Safety are all courses that can be performed online at your convenience.
3. Myth: Career Opportunities Are Limited
Fact: There are numerous employment opportunities in the field.
Aerospace employment is not a binary option between pilots and airport personnel. The industry is quite diverse in terms of the opportunities available to individuals based on their knowledge, skill set, experience, and personality. From flying planes to repairing them, from building new aircraft and establishing airport architecture to managing global projects and developing websites and social media campaigns, to training and leading large teams, the sector certainly has something for everyone.
The sector’s diverse range of employment opportunities includes, but is not limited to:
● Management of Projects
● Engineering & Avionics
● Mechanics & Upkeep
● Architects and designers
● Tolerance for Safety and Damage
● Operations
● Support on the Ground
● Captains and First Officers
● Instructors
● Management & Professional
● Executives.
As is the case with many other industries, successful aviation careers are frequently built on soft skills rather than technical capabilities. Business leaders and recruiters are constantly on the lookout for candidates who have communication, negotiating, relationship-building, and leadership capabilities. The capacity to operate well under duress and collaborate with people of all ages and backgrounds will ensure that everyone in the sector has a diverse range of job options.
4. Myth: It Isn’t as Exciting as Other Engineering Fields
Fact: There has never been a better moment to enter the industry.
With a technological revolution raging all around us, individuals could be forgiven for believing that the most exciting places to work are at well-known technology and engineering firms such as Google and Apple. However, although major participants on the global technology stage have already experienced fast transformation over the last decade, the aviation business is only getting started.
The sector is rapidly expanding its investment in the following areas:
Embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI) — Intelligent planes, self-driving and pilot-less airlines, robots replacing human interactions, and increased airport and onboard safety
Combating Climate Change — Developing novel biofuels, green planes, and sustainable materials, as well as enhancing air traffic control efficiency, in order to significantly cut carbon footprints and reverse the industry’s environmental effect.
Collaborative Approach — Establishing tight relationships with organisations and industry associations worldwide in order to develop novel answers to decades-old problems
Modernising Flying Experiences — Modernising architecture and airport design to promote health and well-being, integrating mindfulness and psychology into aviation, and promoting social distancing to safeguard passengers during pandemics
Flight Will Never Be the Same Again — Developing quicker, more efficient planes capable of flying around the world in a matter of hours, connecting people on a scale never seen before.
Those who enter the industry can immediately begin developing completely new ideas that will accelerate the advancement of technology, ways of living, and working over the next decade, ensuring that an Aerospace career not only provides an exciting day-to-day job and a lifetime career, but also cements your place in history.
5. Myth: It Is Only Appropriate for a Certain Type of Person
Fact: The industry is actively recruiting more diverse talent than ever before.
According to the International Society of Women Airline Pilots, women account for only 5% of pilots worldwide, and they are substantially underrepresented in the field. The engineering and technical workforce in the field is also highly diverse: only 9% of engineers in the UK are female, and while accounting for almost 14% of the population, only 6% of engineers in the UK are from BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) backgrounds.
Many aviation officials, on the other hand, are fervently committed to increasing diversity and inclusion. The majority of airlines and MROs are aggressively recruiting and hiring female, ethnic minority, and other diverse employees to address the skills deficit, and have set their own lofty goals for increasing the diversity and representation of their firms and the whole sector.
The sector’s unique working practices serve working parents and caregivers, as well as individuals with loved ones who live in other nations. With a variety of shift patterns available across the sector, you can customise your work plan and modify the days and hours of your work schedule from week to week. Many firms offer a one-week on, one-week off schedule to provide ample time for travel, family visits, and other interests during their contract. Contract work can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months or even a couple of years, and permanent or longer-term employment is also available. A career in this area can be tailored to meet your lifestyle and values.
Have you decided on a dynamic professional path? If you’re still unsure – please feel free to have a discussion with one of our aviation recruitment experts at Jonathan Lee Recruitment.
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