In 2019, NBAA’s Business Aviation Management Committee (BAMC) will focus on a variety of initiatives including workforce retention, training and educational outreach. “We know that we need to start them [students] early, and we have to plant the seed of getting them excited at the high school level, but at the end of the day we want them to come through a college program by which they will be able to have a four-year degree and be able to come out with the ability to work in the industry,” said outgoing BAMC chair Jad Donaldson. BAMC leaders talk about the focus for 2019 in this week’s NBAA Flight Plan podcast.
Special events for students have taken on increasing importance as business aviation seeks to differentiate itself from the airlines and attract the talented young people it needs to maintain momentum through the 21st century.
At NBAA-BACE, about 100 college students interested in pursuing careers in business aviation engaged with young industry professionals. As they explored their possible career options, they also had an opportunity to meet recruiters searching for job candidates.
Now more than ever, it's time to consider “the complete pilot” instead of simply looking at their logbook, experts say. Succeeding in this competitive and dynamic workforce environment requires new approaches and considerations.
Ensuring that young girls recognize the opportunities available to them in aviation is key to diversifying the industry in years to come, so NBAA staff and member companies this year took part in Girls in Aviation Day events around the country.