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The aviation industry has existed for over a century and has evolved significantly, particularly regarding technology and regulations. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is the governing body that oversees aviation safety and security worldwide. The aviation industry is divided into different sectors, each with unique demands for skilled personnel. The sectors include commercial airlines, cargo carriers, and private and military aviation. According to Nguyen et al. (2019), the aviation industry has experienced steady growth, with global air traffic expected to double by 2037.
However, despite the growth in the industry, there is a significant shortage of aviation talent, particularly in the areas of maintenance and piloting. According to a report by Boeing, the aviation industry will need to hire over 645,000 maintenance technicians and pilots by 2038 to meet the demand for aviation services (Uncular, 2019). The report further notes that the aviation industry is experiencing a shortage of around 10,000 pilots in the United States alone.
The shortage is a significant concern, affecting aviation operations safety, efficiency, and quality. The situation was worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated the problem by causing job cuts, wage reductions, and furloughs. This paper explores the factors that have led to this talent shortage in aviation, especially regarding maintainers and pilots. The paper will also suggest possible solutions to address the problem.
Background
Aviation is one of the worlds most regulated and safety-critical industries. It is an industry that requires highly skilled professionals capable of performing their tasks under extreme pressure and in complex environments. However, the industry has been experiencing a talent shortage in recent years. The problem is not limited to any particular region or industry sector, but it is a global phenomenon affecting all areas of aviation. The talent shortage has been identified as a significant risk to the industrys growth and sustainability. Therefore, it is crucial to analyze the factors contributing to this problem.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the number of passengers traveling by air is expected to double to 8.2 billion by 2037 (Yang et al., 2022). The growth in the aviation industry has created a demand for skilled professionals such as pilots, maintenance engineers, air traffic controllers, and other support staff. However, the industry faces a significant challenge in attracting and retaining these professionals.
The shortage of maintainers and pilots is not a new problem, but it has become more pronounced in recent years (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020). The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has indicated that there will be a shortage of more than 200,000 pilots in the United States alone by 2037 (Abdul Samad et al., 2022). The situation is similar in other parts of the world. The aviation industry has struggled to attract and retain talent for several reasons, including competition from other industries, demographic changes, training costs, low wages, and difficult working conditions.
Literature Review
Historical Background
The aviation industry is a crucial sector of the global economy, playing a critical role in connecting people and goods worldwide. However, in recent years, the industry has faced a shortage of skilled professionals in pilot and maintenance positions. This talent gap has significant implications for the industrys future, as a lack of trained and qualified personnel could cause significant delays, disruptions, and safety risks. The issue has become more pressing in recent years due to a surge in demand for air travel and the industrys aging workforce. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of the United Kingdom has estimated that by 2030, the industry will require 27,000 new pilots and 30,000 new aircraft maintenance professionals to meet the growing demand (Civil Aviation Authority, 2017). The situation is not limited to the UK; the FAA in the United States has projected a need for 637,000 new pilots by 2036 (Federal Aviation Administration, 2017).
Contemporary Context
The talent shortage in aviation is not new and unique to any country or region. According to Boeings 2020 Pilot and Technician Outlook report, the global aviation industry must fill over 2.4 million new positions by 2039, including 763,000 pilots and 739,000 maintenance technicians (Abdul Samad et al., 2022). The report also highlights the significant challenges in filling these positions, including an aging workforce, low compensation, rigorous training requirements, and a lack of diversity.
The aviation industry faces several challenges impacting the recruitment and retention of pilots and aircraft maintenance technicians. One of the significant challenges is the high cost of training and certification. Becoming a pilot or an aircraft mechanic requires extensive training, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars (Kaplan et al., 2021). The high cost of training discourages many people, particularly those from low-income families, from pursuing a career in aviation. As a result, the pool of qualified candidates is limited, and the industry struggles to meet the growing demand for personnel.
Another challenge that is affecting the industry is the aging workforce. The average age of pilots and aircraft maintenance technicians is increasing; many are expected to retire in the coming years. According to the FAA, over 40% of active pilots in the United States will reach the mandatory retirement age of 65 by 2022 (Federal Aviation Administration, 2017). The aging workforce is not limited to the United States; it is a global issue affecting the entire industry.
Working conditions also significantly impact the recruitment and retention of pilots nd aircraft maintenance technicians. As discussed...…to increased operating costs for airlines and other aviation service providers (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020). Overall, the data analysis suggests that the industry must address various issues to attract and retain talent, including pay and benefits, working conditions, job security, and professional development and career advancement opportunities.
Conclusion
The shortage of skilled professionals in aviation is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed. Our research findings suggest that aviations failure to attract and retain talent involves various factors, including industry perceptions, working conditions, pay and benefits, training and certification requirements, and demographics. The industry must address these factors to develop a comprehensive approach to attracting and retaining talent.
The problem is complex and multifaceted, requiring a comprehensive approach to address it. The literature suggests that a combination of measures is necessary to attract and retain talent in the industry. These measures include improving the working conditions and job security of aviation professionals, increasing investment in training and education, reducing regulatory barriers, and adopting new technologies to improve the safety and efficiency of aviation operations.
In addition, the industry must develop strategies to promote professional development and career advancement, as well as greater recognition and respect for the work of pilots and maintainers.
Recommendations
Based on the findings and conclusions drawn from the data analysis, the following recommendations are suggested to address the problem of aviations failure to attract and retain talent.
The industry needs to increase pay and benefits to compete more with other industries. This would help attract and retain talent by making the industry more appealing. Pay and benefits are among the primary factors that people consider when choosing a job, and the aviation industry can compete by increasing the pay and benefits of pilots and maintainers.
There is a need to improve working conditions to reduce stress and burnout. The aviation industry is demanding, which can lead to burnout and high-stress levels. By improving working conditions, such as providing better work-life balance and reducing workload, the industry can reduce the number of pilots and maintainers who leave due to burnout and stress.
Develop strategies to promote professional development and career advancement. By providing opportunities for professional development, the industry can attract and retain talent looking for growth and advancement.
Provide greater recognition and respect for the work of pilots and maintainers. The aviation industry should recognize the contributions of pilots and maintainers to aviation safety and security. Recognition can be done through public recognition and awards that celebrate the work of pilots and maintainers.
Increase diversity by developing targeted strategies to attract and retain women and people of color. The aviation industry has traditionally been male-dominated, limiting the participation of women and people of color. By developing targeted strategies to attract and retain…
References
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Caldwell, J. A., Caldwell, J. L., Thompson, L. A., & Lieberman, H. R. (2019). Fatigue and its management in the workplace. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 96, 272-289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.10.024
Civil Aviation Authority. (2017). ATIPAC Annual Report. https://www.caa.co.uk/media/f5ndbwwu/2017-atipac-annual-report.pdf
Clark MAS, J. (2020). The Pilot Shortage–From Student Pilots to the ATPs.
Dolbeer, R. A., Begier, M. J., Miller, P. R., Weller, J. R., & Anderson, A. L. (2021). Wildlife Strikes to Civil Aircraft in the United States, 1990–2019.
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Kaplan, A. D., Cruit, J., Endsley, M., Beers, S. M., Sawyer, B. D., & Hancock, P. A. (2021). The effects of virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality as training enhancement methods: A meta-analysis. Human factors, 63(4), 706-726. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018720820904Lutte, R. K. (2019). Women in aviation: A workforce report. Aviation Institute Faculty Publications.
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