The aviation industry is a vital global connector, facilitating travel, trade, emergency services, and more. Technological advancements enhance the passenger experience, positioning aviation as essential in tourism, cultural exchanges, and economic growth. Additionally, low-cost carriers have democratised air travel, expanding its accessibility to a wider population. Consequently, the industry has become a significant contributor to global employment, economic growth, and social development. In this article, we will explore the profound impact of aviation on these areas, particularly in international employment and recruitment.
Worldwide work opportunities and benefits
The aviation industry continues to experience exponential growth, positioning itself as one of the most vibrant and promising work environments. Regardless of their country of origin or current place of residence, aviation offers countless opportunities for both established and aspiring professionals worldwide. Below, we have outlined some of the ways in which aviation contributes to the global workforce and social development.
Aviation offers 87.7 million jobs worldwide
Air travel is currently one of the most popular means of transport, with 58% of tourists travelling by air worldwide, contributing to the growth of global economies, particularly in developing countries. As air transport increases over time, so does the need to hire skilled personnel to run operations in various sectors of the industry. From pilots and cabin crew to maintenance engineers, aviation personnel are the lifeline of every airline. Additionally, the demand for air traffic controllers, ground handling staff, and customer service representatives is rising, creating even more job opportunities for people around the world.
Continuous growth and increase in employment opportunities
As technology advances, specialists in cybersecurity, IT systems, and data analysis are also becoming essential to enhance safety and efficiency. This growing need for a diverse and skilled workforce underscores the importance of continuous training and development in maintaining high standards within the aviation industry. By 2038, global air transport is predicted to create an additional 143 million jobs worldwide, and enhance the global economy by $6.3 trillion.
Aviation contributes to 4.1% of the world's GDP
Aviation serves not only as a means of connecting people and places around the world but also plays a crucial role in driving global economic activity, contributing a staggering amount of $3.5 trillion. This massive figure encompasses various aspects of the industry, such as passenger air travel, facilitating over four billion journeys annually, and the efficient transportation of sixty one million tonnes of freight. The tourism industry alone benefits from $1 trillion of this economic activity, with aviation playing a significant role in enabling travel, and providing seamless transportation options for tourists worldwide.
How aviation supports social development
Aviation supports social development in significant ways. It enables people from all over the world to visit other countries and cultures, broadening their horizons. Whether it’s for leisure, business, or educational purposes, air transport is an integral part of bringing people and organisations together. Since its very beginning, aviation has and continues to serve as a crucial mode of transportation for both civilian and military purposes, connecting people, goods, and ideas across vast distances quickly and efficiently. Below are some of the ways in which aviation has made notable social contributions.
Advancements in technology and employment skills
For the aviation industry to continue its growth and development, it requires a diverse range of skills. These skills encompass not only STEM disciplines like engineering, maintenance, and IT but also extend to areas such as customer service, marketing, business management, and communication. The industry needs employees from all these areas to help it further develop and keep up with increasing demand. Additionally, as technology undergoes various development stages, the search for these skills intensifies.
As the global aeroplane fleet continues to grow, Boeing has recently unveiled a new forecast projecting a demand of 2.4 million new aviation professionals in the next twenty years. Commercial fleet is expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels, creating new positions all over the world, especially in fast growing regions like South Asia, South-East Asia and Africa.
Moreover, new training methods have made it even easier to train and upskill employees, leading to faster and more efficient processes. Civil aerospace companies are already collaborating with educational institutions to train the next generation of aviation professionals in highly skilled roles such as engineers and aircraft designers, as demand is projected to grow.
Aviation provides a community support network
Some parts of the world heavily rely on air transport for their emergency and healthcare services. This is particularly true for small islands and remote communities in regions like Alaska, where lack of accessible roads makes it challenging to provide prompt emergency response. This limitation significantly escalates the risk to human life. In such cases, air transport is the only viable option. Furthermore, natural disasters such as forest fires and floods are much more effectively dealt with by air than on the ground. Speed and reliability are essential elements in successful rescue operations and evacuations that would otherwise be more challenging.
What this means for aviation recruitment
Aviation plays a crucial role in connecting countries, cultures, industries, and people. Without it, nations would be more isolated and disconnected. For the aviation industry to operate at its optimum capacity, it’s essential to have a skilled workforce that can maintain operations and drive continual growth. Finding and developing these essential skills is vital for sustaining the industry's functionality across all sectors.
Specialist aviation recruitment consultancies play a crucial role in helping airlines achieve maximum results by placing the right candidates in the right positions and organisations. These consultancies are particularly adept at identifying and sourcing candidates with the specific skills, qualifications, and experience levels required for various roles within the aviation industry. Their hands-on approach ensures a tailored and efficient recruitment process, ultimately contributing to the success and growth of the airlines they support.
Looking to hire quality candidates?
The AeroProfessional team are specialists in the recruitment and selection of aviation professionals across the globe. Reach out to the team today to discuss your current hiring challenges and gain the expert advice and guidance you need to ensure your hiring strategy gains maximum success.
Looking for your next aviation role?
Every year we help hundreds of individuals find rewarding new roles within the aviation industry. Working with a variety of airlines from across the world, we provide an end-to-end service that matches you with the right aviation role, in the right organisation.
Comments