With a growing population and increasing penchant to travel, India’s Civil Aviation industry is witnessing a high growth path. India is expected to become the third-largest aviation market by 2020 and the largest by 2030. The Ministry of Civil Aviation had hired ICRA Management Consultancy Services Ltd. (IMaCS) to undertake a comprehensive skill gap analysis of the Civil Aviation sector and to formulate a future road map for Skill Development in the Sector. IMaCs estimated that India's aviation sector will generate employment opportunities for nearly 4 million people during the next 20 years from now. The projection of jobs results from taking into account improvements in economic output and labour productivity.
IMaCs conducted the study between August and December in 2015. It has now submitted its Draft Report. The ministry has sought comments from the public on the 'Draft Report on Comprehensive Skill Gap Analysis and future road map for Skill Development in Civil Aviation Sector' till February 26. The study, done by IMaCS, comes at a time when the ministry is in advanced stages of finalising the civil aviation policy. The new aviation policy is expected to be made effective from April 1, 2016. Ministry of Civil Aviation secretary R.N. Choubey confirmed to AIN during a recent civil aviation seminar in Delhi. The policy that has remained a draft for almost 20 years comes at an opportune time, as Indian aviation posts record growth rates aided by low oil prices & competitive fares. Once a policy exists, investors can start looking earnestly at investing in infrastructure-related projects.
The IMaCs report has suggested setting up of a National Civil Aviation Training Entity (NCATE). The study did not include the roles of existing training procedures. One routine exercise being the one wherein the DGCA approves a number of training schools. 100s of students pass out from such Institutes every semester. Only a lucky few get the job of their choice.
The IMaCs report, however, correctly points out the present job situation in Aviation. It seems to acknowledge the perception that employers in Indian Aviation normally prefer Ex-servicemen (ESM) rather than the pass-outs from so-called aviation schools. The report goes ahead to suggest an option:
- to train ESM and soon to-be-ESM to become trainers.
- services of ESM can be used as resources in the following segments:
- Administration capabilities (across segments)
- Security (across segments)
- MRO of aircrafts
- ANS
- Airport operations
The process of induction of ESM through blended learning model has been outlined in the IMaCs report. The study has highlighted the need for skill development programmes across various levels in the aviation sector. The report estimates that by 2035, the Indian civil aviation sector, across the study segments of airport, airlines, cargo, maintenance repair and overhaul facility and ground handling will employ 0.8-1 million personnel directly and another 3 million indirect jobs will be created. However, it does not state that 1000s of students would also have then completed various aeronautical courses in several training schools, colleges, and universities spread across the length and breadth of India.
IMaCs conducted the study between August and December in 2015. It has now submitted its Draft Report. The ministry has sought comments from the public on the 'Draft Report on Comprehensive Skill Gap Analysis and future road map for Skill Development in Civil Aviation Sector' till February 26. The study, done by IMaCS, comes at a time when the ministry is in advanced stages of finalising the civil aviation policy. The new aviation policy is expected to be made effective from April 1, 2016. Ministry of Civil Aviation secretary R.N. Choubey confirmed to AIN during a recent civil aviation seminar in Delhi. The policy that has remained a draft for almost 20 years comes at an opportune time, as Indian aviation posts record growth rates aided by low oil prices & competitive fares. Once a policy exists, investors can start looking earnestly at investing in infrastructure-related projects.
The IMaCs report has suggested setting up of a National Civil Aviation Training Entity (NCATE). The study did not include the roles of existing training procedures. One routine exercise being the one wherein the DGCA approves a number of training schools. 100s of students pass out from such Institutes every semester. Only a lucky few get the job of their choice.
The IMaCs report, however, correctly points out the present job situation in Aviation. It seems to acknowledge the perception that employers in Indian Aviation normally prefer Ex-servicemen (ESM) rather than the pass-outs from so-called aviation schools. The report goes ahead to suggest an option:
- to train ESM and soon to-be-ESM to become trainers.
- services of ESM can be used as resources in the following segments:
- Administration capabilities (across segments)
- Security (across segments)
- MRO of aircrafts
- ANS
- Airport operations
The process of induction of ESM through blended learning model has been outlined in the IMaCs report. The study has highlighted the need for skill development programmes across various levels in the aviation sector. The report estimates that by 2035, the Indian civil aviation sector, across the study segments of airport, airlines, cargo, maintenance repair and overhaul facility and ground handling will employ 0.8-1 million personnel directly and another 3 million indirect jobs will be created. However, it does not state that 1000s of students would also have then completed various aeronautical courses in several training schools, colleges, and universities spread across the length and breadth of India.
A number of factors have been overlooked while preparing the report by the IMaCs:
1. Most Important. For the last 60 years or so, Aviation personnel in India have actually been developing their skills while in service. A majority of them did not undertake any formal skill development course. A majority of such people became indispensible in their office while nearing retirement, because they can tell with their experience things which are not written in text books. The whole of Aviation sector shall remain indebted forever to these unsung heroes. Please also note that the inventors of the aircraft did not even attend school.
2. While mentioning job opportunities, IMaCs does not identify 'critical' and 'non-critical' areas in the context of an Aircraft job as recognized by the DGCA.
3. Without an iota of doubt, it can be stated that it is the 'non-critical' area which would demand manpower the most. The IMaCs report could have elaborated the "non-aeronautical revenue" aspect more. This ironically is precisely the answer to nearly all the woes of India's aviation.
4. The IMaCs report appears clueless to suggest the mechanisms to link aviation jobs with degrees, diplomas, and certificates awarded by various existing training schools, colleges and universities.
5. Big Aviation companies like Air India do work on in-house training. Other regular Airlines and aircraft operators do provide ‘on job training’ and/or apprenticeship. IndiGo teams up with other flying schools to produce its pilots.
Setting up of a National Civil Aviation Training Entity (NCATE) might be a redundant exercise. The need of the hour is to fix the existing loopholes in the system and strike a balance between the academic curriculum and Industry needs. In the absence of it, a confused situation prevails all over.
With a population of 1.2 billion, there is a huge market waiting to be tapped in India. But unfortunately, India’s aviation sector is lagging behind many other countries with similar demographics. As per industry estimates, the sector is expected to grow more than 7 times in next 10-12 years; with a backdrop of 20% growth in 2015, it might be a good time to fix some of the issues that have been preventing the required growth of aviation sector for years.