Pilots and technicians in all sectors of the aviation field are increasingly in demand, and will only continue to grow in value in the coming decades. According to Boeing’s recently released 2018 Pilot & Technician Outlook, the need for skilled airline pilots will reach unprecedented levels over the next 20 years. The report forecasts a need for 790,000 pilots over the next 20 years, a figure that represents double the current workforce.
How did this happen?
The short answer? According to Clay Lacy, founder and CEO of Clay Lacy Aviation, “There are simply not enough qualified pilots to meet demand, much less the significant growth expected for airlines and private jet operators over the next two decades.” Simply put, not enough people are going into the aviation field to meet this rapidly growing demand. Many people simply are not aware of how accessible and profitable this career path can be!
To make matters worse, about 42% (approximately 22,000 in total) of active U.S. airline pilots are set to retire over the next 10 years.
What does this mean?
The existing demand for highly trained and skilled aviation professionals is only going to increase. This growing talent gap has already led to higher wages and sign-on bonus incentives at many companies.
In other words, there’s never been a better time to enter the aviation field! The growing demand ensures you’ll have a rewarding, high-paying career that isn’t likely to see a drop in hiring for the foreseeable future.
Bottom Line
If you’ve been on the fence about making a career change, now is the right time. Training to become a pilot will put you on the path to lifelong career doing something you love and is universally needed and valued.
Still not sure? Get in touch with us today to learn more about our training programs and get started towards your aviation career.