As reality continues to tighten around the need to build capacity and the financial implications there in, convener of Explore Aviation Careers Conference, Ms Joy Ogbebo has charged airlines, government agencies, well meaning Nigerians to pitch in and help train the next generation of aviation professionals.
She made this known today at this year’s annual conference, the 6th in the series with the theme: “Inspiring the next Generation of Aviation Professionals through Scholarship and Sponsorship “ at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Annex, Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA).
According to Ms Ogbebo, the glaring challenges of financial constraints for a large number of youths who are interested in exploring careers in Aviation is staggering as despite the interest, the majority of them cannot fund their training.
She explained that these courses do not come cheap, stressing that the financial implications of the sessions are huge challenges that cannot be wished away and the industry needs to start enriching conversations around it.
She said, “Imagine, if all Airlines, Government Agencies, decide to sponsor just one person annually. Let’s say one Pilot, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, Flight dispatcher, you can imagine how many professionals are churned out annually.’
” If we must develop the Aviation industry in Nigeria, we must start by setting sustainable development goals. We need to start taking proactive, deliberate, intentional and conscious steps and actions now. Research has shown that countries that are advanced and have taken Aviation to the next level are the ones that have taken proactive steps to develop human capital. If we must have a better future, we must create it.
