We established our Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) Initiative to ensure there would be a sufficient network of qualified and competent professionals to operate, manage, and maintain the future international air transport system. The initiative is crucial with the challenges the industry faces. Not only is aviation competing with other sectors for highly skilled talent, but there is a lack of harmonized competencies and qualifications in some aviation disciplines, and there is limited awareness among young people about the diverse career opportunities that are available in aviation.
Thirty-four universities that currently deliver aviation programmes have come together to help develop ICAO’s new Global Aviation Education Plan (GAEP), following a two-day workshop at Madrid’s Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Aeronáutica y del Espacio (ETSIAE).
The workshop marked the first consultation phase of GAEP, which is intended to align academic programmes with aviation industry needs. This alignment will be crucial as the industry continues to evolve and grow, while striving to achieve ICAO’s goals of zero fatalities and net-zero emissions.
Representatives from academic institutions from every world region reviewed ICAO’s proposed framework and provided initial input on its structure and objectives. Opening remarks were delivered by Gustavo Alonso, Director of ETSIAE; David Benito, Director General of Civil Aviation of Spain’s Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility; and Jorge Vargas, Director of ICAO’s Capacity Development and Implementation Support Bureau.
Following these addresses, participants engaged in focused working sessions that enabled universities to share current practices and challenges in aviation education. The academic representatives provided input on approaches to:
- establishing international education benchmarks;
- validating both academic institutions and aviation programmes;
- providing technical assistance to help institutions meet global standards;
- attracting more young people to aviation and promoting early career awareness;
- strengthening industry-academia partnerships and expanding hands-on training to enhance employability; and
- facilitating career mobility through the mutual recognition of qualifications.
The closing session was attended by the Representative of Spain on the ICAO Council, Ángel Luis Arias; the Secretary-General for Air and Maritime Transport of Spain, Benito Núñez; and ICAO Secretary General, Juan Carlos Salazar.
ICAO will next consult with aviation industry representatives and training centres to gather their perspectives on how to further refine the plan. This input will inform the development of detailed recommendations within the GAEP.
