The world is gradually getting out of the haze of the new crown pneumonia, the aviation industry is hungry for talents, and there is even a "pilot shortage" around the world.
The Hong Kong International Aviation Academy, established by the Airport Authority, plans to launch three pilot training courses. Students in two of these courses can obtain a commercial pilot's license, which means they are eligible to become civil aviation pilots.
Li Tianzhu, the dean of the academy, said that the course will go to a foreign country to learn to fly, and the content is similar to other trainee pilot training programs (ie cadet), but it does not need to be limited to working in a certain airline.
He continued that the details of the courses have yet to be announced, but he will assist graduates to work in local airlines, and he hopes to start one of the courses as soon as next year.
Dean Li Tianzhu: 602,000 pilots will be needed in the next 20 years
Established by the AA in 2016, the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy moved to the Airport Staff Complex next to Terminal 1 of the airport in September last year, covering an area of 5,500 square meters.
Dean Li Tianzhu said that the college has provided training for more than 200,000 trainees so far.
Li Tianzhu quoted Boeing as saying that between 2022 and 2041, the global aviation industry needs 602,000 pilots and 610,000 aircraft maintenance technicians.
He continued that the academy itself offers different courses, including basic air traffic control training for trainee air traffic controllers; new courses will also be offered in the future, including three pilot training programs.
Pilot training courses are self-financed graduates and do not have to work for airlines
Li Tianzhu revealed that the three courses are a comprehensive pilot program suitable for college or university graduates; a bachelor of science in air transport suitable for high school students; and a master of science in air transport suitable for bachelor graduates.
The latter two include commercial pilot training, which is expected to become a civil aviation pilot.
When asked what is the difference with the trainee pilot program of existing airlines, Li Tianzhu said that the content of the two is not very different, and they also need to receive flight training overseas, but the biggest difference is that the course to be launched is to obtain a commercial aircraft license at their own expense. , while the airline apprenticeship program is funded by the company and then has to work in the company.
The air traffic control training center of the college is for trainees to practice the operation of air traffic control towers and air traffic control centers.
(Photo by Xia Jialang)
Details of employment assistance for graduates to be announced
Li Tianzhu said that there is no similar course in Hong Kong at present. Some young people who are interested in becoming pilots go overseas to obtain commercial aircraft licenses at their own expense, but they may not be employed by Hong Kong airlines.
He went on to point out that in addition to allowing young people to obtain licenses, the new course will also assist in arranging employment, but it is always more complicated and needs to be contacted overseas. The details are yet to be announced.
As for the comprehensive pilot scheme that does not involve commercial aircraft licenses, it is expected that it will be completed next year.
The Academy's Digital Training Centre features a virtual reality device that simulates driving a car to learn what you need to know about driving at an airport.
(Photo by Xia Jialang)
Exchange with mainland airports to send young people to the airport for internships
In addition, the "Greater Bay Area Youth Aviation Industry Internship Program" was proposed in the "Policy Address". Li Tianzhu said that in the first half of 2023, the college will begin to exchange young people with mainland airports to send young people to the airports of the two places for internships, providing about 300 places in the first year. .
He pointed out that it is currently cooperating with Zhuhai Airport.
However, in recent years, people in the aviation industry have reported salary problems from time to time, leading to brain drain. Li Tianzhu agreed that competition is high and high salary will help retain personnel, but the college cannot handle the problem.
He also said that the population of young people may decrease in the future, hoping to attract more people to enter the industry.
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