The aviation and aerospace industries still have a long way to go to reach gender parity. In Australia, women account for 8% of Aerospace Engineers in the workforce, and 9% of air transport professionals and pilot positions are also occupied by women.
With the Aviation industry doing much more to attract qualified women into the many roles within the industry, including senior management and engineering, the efforts have had negligible impacts on changes to the gender parity in the industry.
The Association of Asia-Pacific Airlines (AAPA), which Australia is a member, passed a resolution in the last few weeks calling on governments to support the New Generation of Aviation Professionals initiative to invest in the education and training of new professionals in the industry. This initiative has been a primary focus of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
“The association also calls on governments and other aviation stakeholders to promote best practices in human resource development including a renewed commitment towards the further diversification of the workforce and gender equality,” the resolution said.
The director general of the AAPA, Andrew Herdman, recognises that much more need to be done.
“We are driven from an operational culture, we’ve got to adjust accordingly. Still run the operation, but try to offer a degree of flexibility because different people have different requirements,” said Herdman in October 2018.
“There are many many opportunities ahead in this industry as we said in terms of the growth and it’s important that’s well publicised. It’s a challenge and it needs more than talk.”
The aviation industry faces a shortage worldwide in regards to qualified pilots – with thousands more needed over the coming decades. Many universities, industries and flight schools are taking several avenues to address the inequality and bias within the industry.
Qantas Pilot Academy © Qantas
Educational outreach programs are important to teach girls and women about the career opportunities within the aviation and aerospace industries. Offering scholarships to women is another opportunity both universities and industry can boost numbers within the sector.
Associate Professor Victoria Dunbar, who works in Aviation at the Florida Institute of Technology, recognises that there are already some organisations standing up to the task.
“There are several organizations that are attempting to reduce the stereotype by promoting women in aviation, including Women in Aviation International (WAI), Experimental Aircraft Association (EEA), Aircraft Owner and Pilots Association (AOPA), Institute for Women of Aviation Worldwide, and others. They have national and international campaigns aimed at increasing awareness of women in aviation”, Says A/Prof Dunbar.