Durban: The Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, has outlined initiatives by the government that invest in young people and create real pathways for them to build careers in the aviation sector. These pathways are inclusive, accessible, and supported by strong educational frameworks, financial resources, and mentorship initiatives.
According to South African Government News Agency, programmes offered by South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), and the Air Traffic Navigation Services support learners from disadvantaged backgrounds to enter professions such as pilots, aircraft maintenance technicians, aeronautical engineers, airport management and development, as well as flight procedure designers, air traffic controllers and related fields. Support includes structured training programmes, internships, bursaries, and learnerships. There is a strong focus on promoting gender equity in professions that were previously male-dominated.
These programmes represent a deliberate and sustained effort by South African aviation entities to empower a new generation of aviation professionals who reflect the demographic diversity of the country. Through these initiatives, the State is ensuring that access to critical skills and opportunities is broadened, particularly for young black South Africans and women, in line with the national transformation agenda, the Minister said on Tuesday in Durban. She was addressing the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Global Summit, which brings the aviation community together to work collaboratively in securing the future of aviation talent.
While the sector offers substantial opportunities, these will not materialise unless a fundamental challenge is addressed – the need for a new generation of skilled professionals. As seasoned aviation workers retire and the demand for a skilled workforce grows, young people, especially across Africa, must be equipped and prepared to step into these roles, the Minister emphasised.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), in South Africa in 2023, air transport contributed approximately USD 5.7 billion, or around R105.4 billion, which is equivalent to 1.5% of total GDP, supporting 46,000 jobs, 27,000 of whom are licensed aviation professionals. The ICAO forecasts a global demand for over two million qualified aviation personnel by 2030.
Through the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) can exponentially enhance job creation and growth on the African continent. In recognition of the key role aviation can play in economic development, the Department of Transport targets reaching 42 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of air-freight through the ACSA network of airports by 2029. This will be achieved by increasing the capacity and upgrading of existing airports and aviation facilities, creating new cargo terminals, streamlining airport services, and expanding the network of ACSA airports to ensure greater aviation capacity and connectivity throughout South Africa and the broader southern African region, the Minister said.
The Minister encouraged the sector to invest in young people to ensure the sustainability of the aviation industry. Access to aviation training can be unaffordable to youth in developing countries, and funding for training future aviation professionals is key to the growth and sustainability of the aviation industry, Creecy said.
The Minister acknowledged the impact that Fly Safair and Airlink have made by partnering with the Regulator (SACAA) to absorb trainees and provide on-the-job training, experience, and flying hours. She emphasized the importance of partnerships between the private sector and government in developing talent and ensuring a thriving aviation industry. The South African Air Force (SAAF) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) Air Wing have continued to demonstrate the impact of aviation in public service.
Furthermore, the Minister recognised the roles of the South African Airways (SAA) Cadet Pilot Programme, the Denel Technical Academy, Armscor, and SAAB in nurturing critical aviation and engineering skills in South Africa. SAAB, originally aimed at providing military aircraft to Sweden, now offers products and services from military defence to civil security.
Creecy highlighted the contribution of the Transport Education Training Authority, whose ongoing funding support is crucial. The non-profit sector, including organisations such as Sakhikamva Foundation, Aviation Development Africa, The Children’s Flight, and Girl Fly Programme in Africa, also plays a significant role.
Workforce and skills development challenges are global, and collaboration is essential. South Africa is an active member of the Global Aviation and Aerospace Skills Taskforce (GAAST), a growing international coalition addressing global skills shortages and ensuring workforce resilience. The taskforce, working closely with ICAO’s Next Generation of Aviation Professionals programme, aims to build a repository of best practices, support diversity and inclusion, and ensure that talent development keeps pace with new technologies, safety requirements, and decarbonisation, the Minister said.