Ground Support Worldwide - 31

TRAINING

workforce development programs and direct
pathways to a wide range of professional
and technical careers. Workforce diversity
is not only a business trend, but attracts top
talent and offers companies a competitive
advantage. As several hundred thousand
pilots and technicians reach retirement age
over the next decade, innovative solutions
are needed to inspire and recruit the next
generation of aviation professionals.
Many air carriers, and even airborne law
enforcement agencies such as U.S. Customs
and Border Protection, have forged successful partnerships with top universities to train
and recruit future pilots. The business aviation industry must adopt a similar model to
coach, mentor and empower students interested in full-time aviation careers.
To date, more than 40 leading aviation
organizations have endorsed full funding
of the two workforce development grant

Photo courtesy of NATA

needed to fly and maintain the global aircraft fleet over the next 20 years. The forecast is inclusive of the commercial aviation,
business aviation and civil helicopter industries. This demand will stem from a mix
of fleet growth, retirements and attrition.
In simple terms, this means that approximately 10,000 new pilots must enter the
workforce each year to keep pace with
demand and retirements. However, according to Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) data, less than 5,500 Airline Transport Certificates were issued during the first
11 months of 2018. Failure to produce more
pilots will ultimately imperil small communities, which are most vulnerable to the
loss of air service.
The consulting firm Oliver Wyman
forecasts that demand for aviation maintenance technicians will outstrip supply by
2022. According to the Aeronautical Repair
Station Association (ARSA), more than
two-thirds of U.S. companies responding
to a 2019 member survey reported vacant
technician positions. This not only drives
up overtime and training costs, but prevents
new business development. ARSA projects
the technician shortage is costing the U.S.
aviation maintenance industry $118.416
million per month in lost revenue.
In addition, both aviation and business
experts conclude that the pilot scarcity is
disrupting both commercial airlines and
business jet operators, causing labor costs
to soar and profitability to decline. With
workforce demand outpacing supply, the
aviation industry faces serious financial
headwinds from rising pilot costs and
labor-related growth constraints.
Last September, the Senate Appropriations Committee recommended $5 million
in funding for aviation technician and pilot
education grant programs. This is half the
amount approved in the FAA reauthorization law of 2018, which requires funding
through the annual appropriation process.
While the House Appropriations Committee voted to recommend a full $10 million in
funding last June, Congress must approve a
final version of the Transportation Housing
and Urban Development bill before it can be
signed into law by the president.
A coordinated effort across the global aviation industry is needed to create effective

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