There are growing concerns on the dwindling number of professionals in the aviation industry. With the consistent developments that have continuously shaped the face of the aviation sector, questions are being raised regarding the availability of sufficient manpower to handle such infrastructural challenges.
Speaking in a conference titled ''Local Content Development in the Aerospace and Air Transport Industry in Nigeria'', during the organized by the International Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Aeronautical Division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Chairman of the event Group Captain John Obakpolor(rtd) pointed out that If urgent steps are not taken to reverse the trends through the training of young cadets to take over from the ageing professionals, the industry may one day found out that it has no alternative that to resort to hiring foreigners.
Group Captain Obakpolor advised that in order to address the trend, the Federal Government and the Ministry of Aviation must come up with an all encompassing analytical policy on the training of young professionals in all the technical fields so as to enhance manpower development and production.
In an address read by the Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engineer Bola Bido, on behalf of the Managing Director of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency(NAMA), Engineer Nnamdi Udoh, The MD noted that the importance of aviation to the economic drive of the nation could not be over looked bearing in mind that the industry accounted for the provision of 7million jobs in Africa and generated over $64billion annually.
Aeronautical engineers in Nigeria are' critically' endangered group of professionals in the aviation industry. The Managing Director added. Speaking on the same issue, Engineer Obadofin, the Chief Consultant of Aeroconsult recomended that it was time for the Ministry of Aviation to become more pro-active in the direction of technical staff training and ensuring the development of local content-especially skilled manpower.
Training could be given to those already under the employment of the aviation sector, adding knowledge to the experience they have acquired during service.
ReplyDeleteThe Minister has no doubt done such a great work, which no doubt has to be complimented by the NDE and other related Ministries.
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