Govt to formulate manpower road map for aviation sector

New Delhi: To identify HR challenges faced by the rapid growth in the aviation sector, the government has set the ball rolling to draw up an aviation sector manpower plan for the next 20 years. The plan of action is not only to create an aviation manpower pool within the country for meeting the growing needs of the domestic industry, but also to position India as an HR sourcing hub globally.
A detailed study of the industry’s manpower requirements, including a road map for creating a pool of technical and management professionals, is expected to be completed by October this year, officials said. The ministry has roped in CII, which will soon appoint a leading consultancy firm to undertake the study.
Industry sources told ET that several leading international consultancy firms, including Accenture, KPMG and McKinsey, among others are in the fray.
CII deputy director general Ajay Khanna said that the study would take a holistic view of the manpower requirements of the aviation industry. It would also project the manpower demand for various disciplines across five to 20 year time-frame.
A key term of reference of the study would be to position India as a preferred source of skilled and qualified technical manpower for aviation, including those for pilots, engineers & technicians, ATCs, and airport management, among others. Currently, there are around 800 expat pilots working in various Indian carriers.
The study would also recommend changes needed in the accreditation and regulatory framework, for flying clubs and other training institutions to enhance the quality and quantum of their graduating students.
Federation of Indian Airlines is working closely with CII on framing this report.
01/09/07 Sudipto Dey/Economic Times