Aerospace crisis: skilled worker shortage highlighted at Farnborough Airshow

Industry leaders emphasising the critical need for STEM education and diversity to fill the talent gap

FARNBOROUGH, ENGLAND:

The Farnborough Airshow spotlighted the aerospace industry's urgent need for skilled workers, with Germany's Lilium Jet attracting young engineers and students after a five-year-old's curiosity prompted the company to open its cabin for visitors.

The airshow displayed numerous high-tech projects, underscoring the industry's recruitment challenges. Alex Jordan, Lilium's head of talent acquisition, noted that the young boy's interest sparked a queue of visitors eager to explore the flying taxi.

While the boy's dream of an aviation career is distant, the industry is in dire need of skilled recruits. Jeet Makadia, a 27-year-old recent engineering graduate working on a Rolls-Royce project, highlighted the allure of aerospace. However, the sector's struggle to replace workers lost during the pandemic loomed over the event.

"There are very few people studying aerospace, so there is a shortage," said Tushar Subhash Dhulasawant, a 26-year-old engineer interested in control systems and UAV design. Aerospace giants like Boeing and Airbus compete with sectors like artificial intelligence, which demand similar engineering skills.

Paula Hartley, a senior defence executive at Lockheed Martin, emphasized the need for adaptability among engineers. Meanwhile, HQW Precision UK in Plymouth is transitioning from supplying components to offering pre-assembled systems, but requires more application engineers, according to business development manager Mark Wakeham.

The industry's talent gap, with an unemployment rate of 4.4% according to McKinsey, is driving up wages and could cost companies millions in lost productivity annually. Recruiters stress the importance of STEM education, particularly for women and marginalised groups, as a long-term solution.

Arjan Meijer, CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, and other executives acknowledged the industry's lack of diversity. Education ministers from the Group of Seven have voiced concerns about STEM access, especially for girls.

Despite concerns about aviation's greenhouse gas emissions, young enthusiasts like 13-year-old Vincent Liao remain optimistic. Liao expressed a desire to address emissions in future engineering designs, reflecting a commitment to sustainability among the next generation of aerospace pioneers.