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:

Aviation industry stakeholders are actively combating the pilot shortage through early outreach programs and dedicated talent pipelines, with a strategic focus on engaging and attracting underrepresented groups.
Organizations such as the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) and Women in Aviation International (WAI) play a crucial role by offering mentorship, extensive educational programs, and significant scholarships to cultivate a diverse pool of future pilots.
Major airlines have established their own pipeline programs, often partnering with universities and regional carriers, and are setting diversity targets to recruit and train new pilots.
Despite these widespread outreach and scholarship efforts, the article notes that progress in significantly increasing the representation of women and minorities in the pilot workforce, particularly for women, remains slow, indicating persistent challenges.