<p>In the UK last week (3-9 February) it was National Apprenticeship Week. The whole working week was dedicated to this valuable route of entry into the working world across all disciplines [although this writer has to admit that fact was only learned after submission of another article on apprenticeships – the Estonian JV apprenticeship programme].</p>
<p>A glance at the UK Government’s <a href="https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/apprentice/what-is-an-apprenticeship">Apprenticeships website</a> shows just how many options young people have, including many areas of the aviation industry. And while all training involves costs, many are borne by the companies providing the apprenticeship along with some government funding.</p>
<p>Becoming a pilot though, usually involves a great deal of outlay from the student, which is why the British Air Line Pilots Association (BALPA) took the opportunity of National Apprenticeship Week to urge airlines to take up an apprenticeship scheme “to help end the scandal of training costs”.</p>
<p>BALPA therefore laid down a challenge to both the UK Government and to airlines to fully implement an apprenticeship scheme for pilots that would help to get rid of the considerable financial barriers which students face. The Association believes a valuable knock-on effect of that would be to open up the career as an aviator to a more diverse population. This chimed in with the ‘Look Beyond’ theme of week, which celebrated the diversity and value that apprenticeships bring.</p>
<p>In February last year, BALPA has already helped establish the first ever apprenticeship standard for commercial airline pilots in the UK. Development of the scheme was led by an Aviation Industry Skills Board specialist sub-group and the apprenticeship to become a First Officer drew the backing of not just BALPA, but also the Honourable Company of Air Pilots. Support also came from aviation employers such British Airways, Flybe, EasyJet and Virgin Atlantic Airways.</p>
<p>But a year on from its creation, BALPA bemoans, the industry is still waiting for an airline to take up the apprenticeship opportunity. The Association confirmed that it is continuing to work with the Aviation Industry Skills Board “to find solutions that make this option more practicable and is challenging the Government and airlines to look seriously at apprenticeships as a way of opening up the profession to all”.</p>
<p>“There has been a lot of talk from airlines about diversity, but if airlines really want recruit people from all walks of life, then they need to remove the financial barrier to pilot training that makes it very difficult for those from less affluent backgrounds to apply,” stressed Wendy Pursey, head of membership and career services at BALPA. “At the moment, those aspiring to a career in the skies must have deep pockets if they are to fund their training.</p>
<p><img alt="Wendy Pursey" src="/getasset/f109e5c2-4b31-4fe8-ba12-53e0e1954490/" /></p>
<p>“BALPA worked hard to produce the first ever apprenticeship standard for commercial airline pilots in the UK. The challenge is now on for airlines, the wider industry and the Government to recognise the opportunity that apprenticeships bring and help to iron out the obstacles that are preventing the scheme being taken up,” Pursey added.</p>
<p>There are differing opinions over whether there is a current shortage of qualified pilots. What is certain, however, is that the aircraft manufacturers have huge numbers of sales in their orderbooks. Of course, a portion of those are for replacement, but many more are for growth – and they are all going to need people to fly them.</p>
<p>Without initiatives such as apprenticeship schemes – and having them taken up by airlines – the pilot shortage currently the subject of conjecture is ever more likely to become a reality.</p>
<hr />
<p>If you enjoyed reading this, then why not read our other articles? </p>
<p>- <a href="https://jobs.flightglobal.com/careers/">Careers Hub</a> </p>
<p>or select from the list of our latest articles below:</p>
<p>- <a href="https://jobs.flightglobal.com/article/matt-langridge-mbe-my-big-career-change-2-back-to-the-classroom/" itemprop="url">Matt Langridge MBE "my big career change" #2 - Back to the Classroom.</a></p>
<p>- <a href="https://jobs.flightglobal.com/article/pittsburgh-institute-of-aeronautics-highlights-the-fairs-route-to-mro-employment/" itemprop="url">Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics highlights the fairs route to MRO employment</a> </p>
<p>- <a href="https://jobs.flightglobal.com/article/changing-the-financing-of-flight-training/" itemprop="url">Changing the financing of flight training</a></p>
<p>A glance at the UK Government’s <a href="https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/apprentice/what-is-an-apprenticeship">Apprenticeships website</a> shows just how many options young people have, including many areas of the aviation industry. And while all training involves costs, many are borne by the companies providing the apprenticeship along with some government funding.</p>
<p>Becoming a pilot though, usually involves a great deal of outlay from the student, which is why the British Air Line Pilots Association (BALPA) took the opportunity of National Apprenticeship Week to urge airlines to take up an apprenticeship scheme “to help end the scandal of training costs”.</p>
<p>BALPA therefore laid down a challenge to both the UK Government and to airlines to fully implement an apprenticeship scheme for pilots that would help to get rid of the considerable financial barriers which students face. The Association believes a valuable knock-on effect of that would be to open up the career as an aviator to a more diverse population. This chimed in with the ‘Look Beyond’ theme of week, which celebrated the diversity and value that apprenticeships bring.</p>
<p>In February last year, BALPA has already helped establish the first ever apprenticeship standard for commercial airline pilots in the UK. Development of the scheme was led by an Aviation Industry Skills Board specialist sub-group and the apprenticeship to become a First Officer drew the backing of not just BALPA, but also the Honourable Company of Air Pilots. Support also came from aviation employers such British Airways, Flybe, EasyJet and Virgin Atlantic Airways.</p>
<p>But a year on from its creation, BALPA bemoans, the industry is still waiting for an airline to take up the apprenticeship opportunity. The Association confirmed that it is continuing to work with the Aviation Industry Skills Board “to find solutions that make this option more practicable and is challenging the Government and airlines to look seriously at apprenticeships as a way of opening up the profession to all”.</p>
<p>“There has been a lot of talk from airlines about diversity, but if airlines really want recruit people from all walks of life, then they need to remove the financial barrier to pilot training that makes it very difficult for those from less affluent backgrounds to apply,” stressed Wendy Pursey, head of membership and career services at BALPA. “At the moment, those aspiring to a career in the skies must have deep pockets if they are to fund their training.</p>
<p><img alt="Wendy Pursey" src="/getasset/f109e5c2-4b31-4fe8-ba12-53e0e1954490/" /></p>
<p>“BALPA worked hard to produce the first ever apprenticeship standard for commercial airline pilots in the UK. The challenge is now on for airlines, the wider industry and the Government to recognise the opportunity that apprenticeships bring and help to iron out the obstacles that are preventing the scheme being taken up,” Pursey added.</p>
<p>There are differing opinions over whether there is a current shortage of qualified pilots. What is certain, however, is that the aircraft manufacturers have huge numbers of sales in their orderbooks. Of course, a portion of those are for replacement, but many more are for growth – and they are all going to need people to fly them.</p>
<p>Without initiatives such as apprenticeship schemes – and having them taken up by airlines – the pilot shortage currently the subject of conjecture is ever more likely to become a reality.</p>
<hr />
<p>If you enjoyed reading this, then why not read our other articles? </p>
<p>- <a href="https://jobs.flightglobal.com/careers/">Careers Hub</a> </p>
<p>or select from the list of our latest articles below:</p>
<p>- <a href="https://jobs.flightglobal.com/article/matt-langridge-mbe-my-big-career-change-2-back-to-the-classroom/" itemprop="url">Matt Langridge MBE "my big career change" #2 - Back to the Classroom.</a></p>
<p>- <a href="https://jobs.flightglobal.com/article/pittsburgh-institute-of-aeronautics-highlights-the-fairs-route-to-mro-employment/" itemprop="url">Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics highlights the fairs route to MRO employment</a> </p>
<p>- <a href="https://jobs.flightglobal.com/article/changing-the-financing-of-flight-training/" itemprop="url">Changing the financing of flight training</a></p>