The Philippines is developing a pool of world-class aviation professionals to address the increasing global demand for skilled workers in the industry.
To achieve this, Clark International Airport Corp.’s business ventures team has been tasked with developing a comprehensive aviation campus.
The state-of-the-art facility, strategically located near Clark International Airport, will offer specialized curricula to train pilots, technicians, cabin crew and other aviation professionals.
According to a 2023 forecast by CAE Inc., the aviation industry will need about 1.3 million new professionals within the next decade. These include 284,000 pilots, 402,000 technicians and 599,000 cabin crew members.
The CIAC aims to position Clark as the nation’s lead source of globally-qualified and high-performing aviation professionals such as skilled pilots, air traffic controllers, aeronautical engineers, aircraft mechanics, radio specialists and ground support executives and operators.
The CIAC is following the lead of Transportation Undersecretary Roberto Lim who, earlier this month, said the agency is teaming up with various aviation schools to establish specific programs that will inspire young people to pursue careers in aviation and aerospace, noting that the current global shortage of aviation personnel presents a unique opportunity for individuals seeking long-term careers in the field.
Lim then cited the upcoming CIAC’s Asia Pacific Aviation Campus and other initiatives such as Airbus’ proprietary training program, the Airbus Competence Training Academy, along with the Philippine State College of Aeronautics’ national aviation campus and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines’s Civil Aviation Training Center.
The CIAC said the Philippines’ civil aviation education needs an industry upgrade, starting with reputable and comprehensive pilot training programs, along with skills training in components and assembly manufacturing which will expand into production engineering, procurement and distribution.
Roberto Lim
The government-owned firm also noted the aviation campus will redefine the aviation landscape in the country, provide exceptional opportunities and empower the next generation of Philippine aviation professionals.
The campus will be equipped with technical skills training colleges, research centers and laboratories, a flight operations center, and in-air technology with simulation facilities, a cutting-edge educational and training hub and fostering excellence and innovation in aviation.
As it stands, three of the world’s largest MRO providers are in Clark―Singapore Engineering, Lufthansa Technik and Hong Kong’s Metrojet Engineering―establishing Clark’s readiness and foothold in the aviation industry and gearing the Philippines to be a key player in the region.
The aviation complex is being managed by CIAC and is home to the privately-run Clark International Airport, the mixed-use business district Clark Global City and around 50 locators that include logistics and aviation-related businesses.
