The aviation industry is increasingly facing shortages of new employees, especially in security and services. Meanwhile, aircraft maintenance and production are witnessing the emergence of all manner of new technologies. The sector is becoming aware of gaps between the knowledge and skills students gain during training and what they are being asked to do in the workplace. Educational institutions are facing difficulty in securing internships and work experience placements with businesses and in teaching (technical) skills. In order to close these gaps, the education and business sectors need to work more closely together and coordinate their business and training programmes
Current curricula and training programmes are out of step with the evolving labour market on the one hand, and with practical requirements and new technologies in aviation on the other. This sticking point has existed for years now. Meanwhile, tailored programmes have been developed within mainstream education. However, a radical approach consisting of innovative new apprenticeships is essential if the major changes taking place in the aviation job market (the increasing rate of ageing of the working population and the rapid rise of numerous new technologies) are to be addressed in the coming years.
In order to secure innovation in terms of apprenticeships, additional efforts and the resources associated with them are needed in the short term. Once the programmes have been developed, implemented and evaluated, they will then have to be incorporated into the curricula or the education/training programmes being offered to aviation employees.
The Measure proposed by the Action Plan: strengthening the job market through innovative apprenticeship programmes.