The future of aviation depends on people. Without a skilled and motivated workforce, the industry cannot meet growing demand, embrace new technologies, or deliver on its commitments to safety and sustainability. Recognizing this urgent reality, ICAO launched the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) initiative to attract, educate, and retain the talent needed to sustain a safe, secure, and sustainable global aviation system. NGAP aligns closely with ICAO’s long-term strategic goals, ensuring that the industry is equipped to meet both current and future demands.
This mission came into sharp focus during the 2025 NGAP Global Summit, held in Durban, South Africa, that we cohosted with the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) under the leadership of South Africa’s Department of Transport. The event brought together more than 1,100 participants from governments, industry, academia, and youth organizations worldwide to address the challenges of aviation workforce development and to chart a path forward.
In the session dedicated to Breaking Barriers to Aviation Careers, discussions focused on equity and access in aviation careers, exploring how financial, geographic, and cultural barriers continue to exclude capable talent from entering the sector. Panelists shared personal stories and highlighted systemic obstacles — from unaffordable training costs to bias in recruitment and advancement — while also presenting scalable solutions to build a more inclusive talent pipeline.
Moderated by Mafunase Ngosa Malenga (pictured above, second from right), Founder and Managing Director of SAIST, the panel featured from left to right:
- Natalie Randolph, Acting Director, Asia-Pacific Region, FAA
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Kim James, Director, UAV Aerial Works and Women & Drones Advisor
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Captain Zoya Agarwal, Senior Commander at Air India and UN Women Advocate
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Ellah Wafula, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer and Founder of AWAM, Kenya
- Thobile Masooa, Executive Human Resources, SACAA
Together, they painted a candid picture of the obstacles that keep talented individuals from entering or advancing in aviation.
Key insights
The panelists shared powerful personal experiences that underscored how the cost of training remains the most significant barrier — with scholarships often failing to cover real expenses such as transport, accommodation, and stipends. Just as pressing is the lack of awareness and early exposure, particularly in underserved and rural areas, where young people may never encounter aviation as a career option.
Representation emerged as a recurring theme. The presence of role models — especially women in senior and technical positions — was described as essential to sparking ambition and demonstrating that leadership opportunities are possible. Mentorship, visibility, and supportive workplace cultures were highlighted as critical for sustaining diversity once candidates enter the field.
Speakers also emphasized that aviation careers are broader than piloting alone. Technical, operational, regulatory, and UAV-related pathways offer multiple entry points that need greater visibility and structured pipelines. Innovative partnerships with NGOs, universities, and training organizations are helping bridge these gaps — but panelists agreed that systemic reform is needed to embed inclusion into recruitment practices and workforce policies worldwide.
Calls to Action
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Create sustainable, industry-aligned funding models that fully reflect the costs of training and lead to work-ready graduates.
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Expand mentorship and early outreach to ensure underrepresented groups see themselves reflected in aviation careers.
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Review recruitment and advancement practices to remove bias and strengthen work-readiness outcomes.
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Broaden and diversify entry routes into aviation, with recognition for UAV, regulatory, and technical roles.
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Leverage technology-enabled solutions to reach remote areas and underserved communities.
Why this matters
Breaking barriers to aviation careers is not just about opening doors — it is about building a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready global workforce. Session 5 reinforced that diversity strengthens innovation, safety, and sustainability in aviation. By tackling financial, social, and cultural obstacles, the industry can unlock talent from every community and ensure that aviation careers are accessible to all who aspire to them.
To watch the full recording of this Summit session, click here. To access all other sessions from the 2025 NGAP Global Summit, and hear directly from the panelists and explore their insights in greater depth, click on the link below.
