Jobs aplenty in aviation sector

Mumbai: The skill gaps in the Indian aviation industry, which is the ninth largest market in the world and will be the third largest by 2020, is sought to be bridged by the Indian Institute of Aerospace Engineering and Management under the auspices of the Society of Indian Aerospace Technologies and Industries.

It will take expert assistance from organisations like HAL, NAL, DRDO, ISRO, AAI, Air India, BIAL, private carriers and many leading aerospace organisations said Dr N.G.R. Iyengar director IIAEM. He is also provice chancellor of Jain University that has designed and has just started offering MBA-aviation business management courses.

Dr Iyengar said aviation business management could become a lucrative career for Indian students but there are not enough or good courses available.

They are making a small beginning because whether in the aviation or the arms industry or in managing the business jet fleets of Indian’s growing number of billionaires, the job opportunities would be tremendous in the next 10 years.

The government is spending $12.1 billion in the airports sector in the 12th plan and $50 billion on defence needs and these are opportunities for Indian firms and skilled talent.

Today, the aviation workforce is trained on the job and this has serious limitations in management of airports and airlines, research and development and related activities.

HE added that there is a need to create awareness of the awesome opportunities ahead. For instance, the government will spend $100 billion on arms in the next 10 years and the opportunity before the private sector is unprecedented. But it would require quality talent for managing strategic business environment.

Another area is the growing number of high net individuals. India has 7,850 ultrahigh net individuals (HNIs) and 103 billionaires and all of them have large business jet fleets or are acquiring them.
There  are also job opportunities in these sectors abroad, he said.