by: Barney Topping On: 26, Sep 2019
Looking for a new career, but unsure where to turn? Continuous opportunities for development, exciting challenges every day and amazing new life experiences – here are VHR’s top five reasons to work in the Aerospace & Aviation industry.
8. Travel the World
Airlines, MROs and OEMs operate all over the world, and they need workers who can travel too. Contract and permanent jobs can require travelling to a variety of countries in a single week, with time in between shifts the perfect opportunity to see the sights. Many companies also offer travel schemes with heavily discounted standby flights and free tickets for hundreds of journeys.
7. Flexible Working Style
With different shift patterns across the sector, you can choose your own working pattern, and change the days and hours of your work schedule from one week to the next. Night shifts are also common, and many employers offer a one-week on, one-week off rota to allow workers time to travel, visit family and pursue other interests throughout their contract. Contract work can vary from a few weeks to many months or even a couple of years, whilst permanent jobs are also in abundance. A career in this industry can fit around your life and what matters most to you.
6. Career Development
Improvements in safety, customer service and environmental sustainability mean the sector is constantly changing, and it needs workers who can keep pace with these changes. VHR offers Online Training courses for Licensed Engineers and Mechanics with our EASA Part 147 training partner – find out more.
5. Exciting, Ever-Changing Industry
If you’re looking for a job in an exciting sector, look no further. The nature of Aerospace & Aviation is that it is always moving, always changing and always improving. The industry is far ahead of many others in terms of innovation and particularly in investing in new technology for the benefits of both customers and employees.
Some of the new technologies already being put into place include:
· Virtual Reality – VR headsets are reducing motion sickness in-flight, allowing passengers an immersive flying experience and training cabin crew with VR
· Sustainability – Green planes are planned for the near future, with OEMs aiming to minimise fuel consumption and designers creating lighter aircraft components
· Artificial Intelligence – Facial recognition, automated customer service and transparent baggage checking are aiming to improve the passenger experience.
4. Booming Industry
For the next five years, the global in-service fleet is predicted to grow by 4% every year. Airlines including American Airlines, Air Europa and IndiGo are planning to further expand before 2020 alone. Globalisation and rising middle classes across continents mean more people than ever before are able and wanting to travel, resulting in continuous demand for flights. Many airports across the world are nearing or already at full capacity.
The industry boom holds significant opportunities for those looking to enter the sector. Countries such as China are building new airports and expanding runways and terminals, which will require thousands more workers. Aerospace & Aviation jobs will prove one of the most secure forms of employment of the next decade.
3. No Barriers to the Right Career for You
You don’t need a University degree to get started on a successful and rewarding career. Airlines and aircraft maintenance providers such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic or Flybe and aircraft manufacturers such as BAE Systems, Airbus, BAE and Rolls Royce offer a large selection of Apprenticeships including:
· Aircraft Engineering
· Space Exploration
· Health and Environment
· Flight Systems
· Aeronautical Sciences
· Material Sciences
· Cyberspace Communications
Many institutions are developing Apprenticeship schemes for pilots, evidencing that whatever your skill set and experience level, Aviation can offer your perfect career.
2. Lifestyle
In addition to the standard employee benefits offered to many employees, such as pensions and discounts on products and services, airlines and MROs often offer the following schemes for workers:
· Accommodation provided throughout short-term and long-term contracts
· Free flights for yourself and family members
· The ability to take your family with you when working abroad
· Extra holidays
· Bonus scheme
· Part-time working or job sharing
1. In-Demand Skills
New skills are in high demand for Aviation roles across the sector. The industry has suffered a rapidly increasing shortage of skills for the past few years, particularly in the aircraft maintenance technician, pilot and cabin crew fields. In the next 20 years, the industry will need to recruit and train almost 3million new recruits to meet demand for more flights.
