Severe shortage of skilled people in aviation industry predicted

By LUKE KAMA
There will be a severe shortage of skilled personnel in the global aviation industry in the next 20 years, according to the Apec Study Centre.
Professor Clement Chow from the Apec study Centre at Hong Kong told the second Apec Senior Official Meeting (SOM 2) in Port Moresby yesterday that developing countries, in particular, would be in very disadvantageous position because of lacking resources and expertise in the aviation industry.
He said the issue must now be the responsibility of advanced economies to provide leadership for training and supply the aviation manpower that is needed within the Apec family.
Chow said based on the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s assessment ‘NextGen Aviation Professionals’, there would be a severe shortage of skilled personnel in the aviation industry in the next 20 years.
“Two major reasons were the rapid development of aviation technology and the trend of retirement for those working in the aviation industry,” he said.
Chow said with rapid aviation development within Apec economies, more airspace congestion and flight delays would result.
He said it was important to consider establishing a multinational institution, similar to Eurocontrol in the European Union to rationalise airspace management within Apec countries.