Outreach Programs Doing Their Part to Combat the Pilot Shortage

Minorities, women, and young people are of particular focus to many groups.

Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at 10:29 AM ET

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The Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals says its Project Aerospace reaches more than 100,000 youth and young adults each year. [Courtesy: OBAP]

Key Takeaways:

The aviation industry is actively addressing the pilot shortage through extensive outreach programs by organizations like OBAP and Women in Aviation International (WAI), along with airline-specific pipeline initiatives.
These programs prioritize attracting diverse talent, particularly targeting underrepresented groups, by offering career exposure, mentorship, and significant scholarships to build a future pilot pipeline.
Despite these widespread efforts and investments, progress in increasing the representation of women and minorities in professional pilot roles has been slow and largely stagnant over several decades.