Aviation India: Careers

Mumbai: A few weeks ago, a software engineer friend was griping about his company's exit interview. With a better paying and better prospects career offer in hand, he had put in his papers. He wasn't alone - about 10 other people resigned the same week.
The worried CEO rushed to Mumbai to meet the resigning executives. He spoke at length about the company, its values and how these are invaluable. The employees who had expected a discussion on better compensation packages and growth opportunities were disappointed and the resignations remained.
Yes, money isn't everything. But it remains a darned good motivator, especially as an immediate deterrent to departure. Most HR consultants agree that when companies know rivals are approaching, a quick, mid-term appraisal with announcements of better salaries is a good, short-term strategy.
Air-India resorted to pay hikes after losing people across all functions- pilots, ground and ticketing staff- to the new crop of airlines in the country. Last year, the national carrier improved compensation packages for employees at all levels.
It claims to have seen a huge improvement since then where earlier it lost employees in batches of five and 10 every year, there have been no such resignations since the policy change last year. Agrees V A Ferreira, director, HRD and IFS, Air-India,"Changing our compensation package helped us retain talent."
To effectively stave off the threat from poachers, what is required are longer-term strategies and policies that are in place long before rivals arrive.
Air-India, too, is attempting something similar with its pilots. It now recruits fresh engineering graduates and facilitates their entry into flight training schools. They are provided financial assistance in exchange for a seven-year contract with the company.
Existing employees with engineering degrees including flight pursers and cabin crew are also being encouraged to learn flying, with shorter, five-year contracts. Since its initiation last year, more than 2,000 people have already signed contracts with the airline. Says Ferreira, "We have seen that in high skill categories, it is much better to pick up young talent and train them."
Ferreira, doesn't share figures but claims attrition rates have been arrested.
10/04/07 Govindkrishna Seshan/Business Standard