NEXT GEN PROJECT

The long-term market forecasts from Airbus (2025–2044) and Boeing (2025–2044) reveal an urgent workforce crisis facing the global commercial aviation sector. Driven by resilient air travel demand that outpaces economic growth, the global aircraft fleet is projected to nearly double over the next 20 years. To safely maintain and operate these expanding fleets, both manufacturers project a massive demand for new technical talent, identifying a critical need for 705,000 to 710,000 new maintenance technicians and engineering-adjacent personnel [i.e. continuing airworthiness personnel] worldwide. Furthermore, they both agree that scaling up training pipelines will play a significant role in addressing his demand. However, most traditional aeronautical and aerospace engineering and technical management degree programmes still focus predominantly on aircraft design, production and initial airworthiness requirements. Consequently, graduates from these programmes are unaware of, and lack the knowledge and skills necessary to take on, direct entry opportunities in continuing airworthiness.

It is for this reason that we have established the Next Gen Project, which is an initiative designed to address the afore referenced challenge in a small but significant way.

GOAL & OBJECTIVES:

The goal of the project is to promote technical career opportunities in continuing airworthiness to the next generation of professionals, while also facilitating access to these. In other to achieve this goal, the following objectives have been set:

1. To use our YouTube channel to create and publish content which feature continuing airworthiness and pertinent career opportunities.
2. To develop and accredit professional development qualifications to increase employability in continuing airworthiness.
3. To fund at least 4 places annually on the professional development qualifications to ensure equity.
4. To run an interactive career event that gives next gen prospects a platform to learn from and network with organisations and professionals in continuing airworthiness.

SUCCESSES TILL DATE:

In relation to the first objective, we have now successfully created and published an airworthiness fundamentals series, which features continuing airworthiness and provides insight an insight into the technical roles available within aircraft continuing airworthiness managment and maintenance organisations. You can watch the series here on out Youtube channel.

In relation to the second objective, we have successfully the following professional qualifications, which have been accredited by Qualifications Scotland:

• Professional Certificate in Aircraft Continuing Airworthiness Management (GV5H 04)
• Professional Certificate in Aircraft Maintenance Management (GV5G 04)

In relation the thrid objective, we have now offered 4 fully funded places on these qualifications (i.e. 2 for GV5H 04 and 2 for GV5G 04) for 2026. The successful candidates were independently selected by DevAviation Ltd. The scholarship awards were formally announced  here and here.

NEXT STEPS:

In relation to our fourth objective, we are currently in the initial planning phase for our interactive career event, whch will take place in Q1 2027 at the Sofitel Hotel at Gatwick Airport (North Terminal). Further information will be available in due course. Watch this space!