According to the report, despite having 731 airports and 419 airlines on the African continent, only 10 airlines carry more than 1 million passengers annually, reflecting gaps in workforce development. It is said that they are doing so.
These figures are highlighted in the International Labor Organization (ILO) October 2023 report titled “Towards a Green, Sustainable and Inclusive Recovery of the Civil Aviation Sector”, which states that “Africa is a global The aviation sector is therefore relatively small and underdeveloped, especially in terms of workforce.
To remedy this, African Union leaders launched the 34-member Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) in 2018, with the aim of fostering aviation growth across the continent.
Either way, the pandemic has had a major impact on the global aviation industry, and Africa was no exception. “…The industry was then hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in front-line staff and low-skilled workers leaving for other jobs…creating many challenges. need to be overcome,” the World Economic Forum said.
However, business travel to Africa has rebounded significantly. The growth rate in 2021 was 36%, the second highest in the world after the Middle East, confirming that the region still has room for improvement and growth. However, this sector is poised to generate employment opportunities.
AATO Technical Coordinator Yaqub Ibrahim said: “Africa's aviation industry is in the midst of significant growth and development. As the continent continues to expand its economy, urbanize and become more connected, demand for air travel is set to soar.”
“Africa needs more than 60,000 pilots, technicians and flight attendants to meet its staffing requirements. Boeing needs more than 600,000 pilots, maintenance technicians and 80 It predicted that 10,000 flight attendants would be needed, and the number of commercial aircraft would double to nearly 50,000 by 2041.
To address the challenges, it is important to understand the workforce structure of civil aviation.
The aviation workforce consists of: roles in aircraft manufacturing and maintenance, ground staff, flight personnel (both operating and non-operating), air traffic control, information and communication technology, airline catering, airports and aircraft. Customer service within the airport, airfield management and aircraft operations.
Some of these positions require specialized training and advanced machinery, while others require minimal training.
Here are some of the efforts currently underway to address workforce-related issues.
Staffing levels and shortages
A 2022 study by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) found significant staffing shortages in Africa's aviation sector.
It found that over 18 months, pilot staffing levels were 72 percent, while cabin crew levels were only 61 percent. The shortage of pilots was particularly acute, with regional differences exacerbating the problem.
The unpredictability of the aviation industry and debates about environmental sustainability have made this career field less attractive and exacerbated the talent crisis. This report highlights strategic actions to address these issues and promote regional development.
Best practices for apprenticeships, retraining, and transferable skills in times of crisis.
Training plays a key role in the recovery and development of Africa's aviation industry, as evidenced by the Chicago Convention regulatory framework governing the licensing of personnel.
A new training field is now emerging with a focus on net zero emissions. Cybersecurity and competency-based handling of hazardous materials. These airlines have demonstrated successful employee development and retention models through exemplary internship and retraining programs.
British Airways: operates a comprehensive apprenticeship program where apprentices earn nationally recognized qualifications and gain practical training across business sectors, while receiving a salary.
Malaysia Airlines: Launched a pandemic-era program for more than 2,000 employees, providing participants with voluntary training and temporary transfers to other parts of the company.
AirAsia: Establish a technical training center to improve the skills of rational employees and facilitate their transition to digital roles.
Qantas: Placed many employees through training and certification programs focused on cloud skills.
equality and inclusion
Promoting gender equality in the aviation industry is an urgent priority.
The ILO’s 2019 Annual Working Report highlights the critical importance of achieving gender balance in industry.
Similarly, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has emphasized the need for gender equality in aviation. The 2018 Global Aviation Gender Summit also supported measures to help women develop the skills they need to succeed in aviation careers, including apprenticeships, grants and mentorship programs.
In line with these commitments, IATA has launched a 25-year initiative to increase the number of women in senior and underrepresented roles by 25 percent by 2025.
Strengthening the talent pool for ground operations
Increased passenger numbers and cargo demand have strengthened the aviation industry's talent pool. This is especially true for ground operations. Ground operators typically operate in semi-open markets with limited licenses, facing significant challenges and providing high-quality training opportunities.
These challenges are compounded by increased competition for cost-saving measures, increasing the pressure to retain skilled and well-trained personnel. Therefore, we need to strengthen this talent pool.
Wage and working conditions policy
Airports Council International (ACI) recommends procurement practices that focus on added value, not just cost.
To ensure quality and sustainability, ILO guidelines support fair wages and working conditions in public auctions and promote fair competition. These guidelines will help airlines respond to the crisis by implementing effective training and skill development programs necessary for operational efficiency and employee satisfaction.
