Some progress, should do better

A closely-engaged, skilled female workforce is vital for our industry and we need to analyse carefully what are the major barriers to entry? Jumping to conclusions is counterproductive and honest, professional assessments of any impediments appear overdue to this potentially rich vein of skills.

The spectacular growth in avionics over the last two decades would seem an area that may offer serious opportunities for women with a technical interest. Has the industry done enough to engage with school leavers and graduates around this demanding and evolving section of the industry? The emerging specialisations in aviation safety, accident investigation, airport and airline management, cabin crew training, finance and human resources are all areas that have the potential for further growth.

The increasing movement of women into captain and first officer roles is gaining considerable momentum and will rightly become unremarkable within ten to twenty years. Can we achieve similar growth in the technical or senior management roles? With the right ground work and incentives there isno reason why this cannot happen.

It was done spectacularly well during past wars, why not during times of relative peace? Another area of possibly under-utilised skills is our fast disappearing car manufacturing industry. Within three years it will virtually cease to exist and there are likely to be thousands of technically minded people looking for work. It could be strategic for the aviation industry to speak now with government departments such as Industry and Infrastructure to determine if some of those workers could be retrained as AMEs or into other technical areas, with a percentage moving eventually on to full licences.

Our century-old car industry is unfortunately in its dying days but it has trained generations of skilled workers. It would be an indictment on both industries if we did not try to find some silver lining, and at least look carefully if there are common skill areas that could be transferred to our very much alive aviation industry.

With the end of the resources boom, all viable local manufacturing and technical industries must be encouraged and harnessed if we are to avoid a serious economic decline.

Aviation is already playing its part but it would be a tragedy for our country if the car industry skills were allowed to dissipate without at least attempting some form of assimilation.

The challenge is not just for our political leaders, but also for the leaders of both industries. The former are often not drawn from manufacturing or technical backgrounds so the case must be researched and presented cogently by people who know their respective fields. To do nothing is simply not an option.

Attracting more women, as well as workers from car manufacturing, to aviation is a large and complex task but a potentially rewarding one for our industry. Motivated and skilled people are welcome in any industry with an eye to its future. The key is to ensure steady growth across the aviation industry so that successful and rewarding careers can be built from the extra skills on offer.

Our industry and our country are again in transition. As always, it will not be the strongest but the most adaptable that will survive and flourish.