Friday, 1 February 2008
Aviation Industry - Jobs Available to Diploma Holders?
Just to answer some queries regarding this course on STOMP, let me quote from stomp first.
STOMP -abt AMS
"
Hmmm my dad, who has been in the aviation industry as an engineer for 25 years, said that it's a sunset industry and urged me not to join.
From what my dad said, it has quite poor career prospects if you do not have a good degree. Be prepared to wait for about 8-10 (or perhaps even more) years to break into management level. And that's only for those who has a good degree + capability. Even if that's the case, there're lots people who have degrees as well so there's lots of competition.
Btw, my dad works for SIA. Not sure about other airlines.
My 2cents worth."
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Let me clarify 5 points:
1. The aviation industry is not a sunset industry. For those who came for the AMS Talk or JAE, you would have received the numerous news articles proving these. T3's Opening, SQ being the world's first commercial operator of the A380, liberalisation of the SIN-KUL route.. that means jobs. In fact, the aviation industry is the industry that supports global trade and tourism to Singapore. Look at the diplomas in say, tourism, accounting and finance etc. The basis for such industries being able to fluorish - is the business and leisure travellers aviation brings into Singapore. And that's where your job - and you come in.
2. Career prospects abound both locally and abroad. What is defined as poor career prospects? Let's take a look at CAAS jobs here. As you can see on the list, there are diploma level jobs as well as degree level jobs. Although the pay and benefits are not explictly listed on the internet, I am sure our lecturers would be better to advise you on career paths.
3. We have university tie-ups with advanced standings. It is definitely true a good degree would definitely get you a better paying job, especially in this industry. Therefore, TP-AMS is close to completing a deal with a major world renowned aviation industry, as those who spoke to any AMS student or lecturer would know. Do look out for the announcement to be held at the Singapore Airshow. There are ongoing arrangements with other universities currently too.
4. Aviation Management begins at TP. There are lots of people who have degrees - but not in aviation management. TP-AMS is the first full time course in Southeast Asia to cater to Aviation Management - not just a generic aircraft engineering or business degree. As an executive in CAAS, SQ, or any of the aviation and aviation supporting industries, would you rather employ a person with both business and aviation specialisations from a diploma/degree, or a pure business student with the same diploma/degree?
5. There are many distinct career paths in aviation. Being an engineer in any company is as different as being in management. Engineering is but just one facet of the aviation industry. As an engineer, you would be tasked with the repairing of either the physical/'aeronautical' components of the aircraft (ie. the wing surfaces) or the electronic/'avionics' components (ie. the cockpit / flight deck systems). On the other hand, if you were trained in AMS or have an aviation management degree in an aviation field other than engineering, you would have access to a wider range of jobs by:
Aviation Regulatory Authorities eg. CAAS.
Airport Operators eg. CAAS/CAI.
Airlines- schedules, non-scheduled, budget and full fare eg. SQ/the other airlines flying into SIN.
Aviation Support Industries eg.
Air Cargo eg. SQC, Jett8, FedEx, DHL, or the other passenger/cargo airlines flying into SIN.
Air Traffic Management eg. SATCC, Approach Control in Tower.
Aircraft Maintenance Repair Overhaul eg. SIAEC, Singapore Technologies Aerospace, or the other minor companies at eg. Seletar.
Aircraft Ground Operations eg. SATS, CIAS, Swissport or overseas.
...and many many more companies both locally and abroad.
* - If you have the capability, motivation or qualification, there is definitely a place for you in this industry - not as the person physically doing these jobs, but the person managing the manpower for these tasks!
Good luck to those who have applied and hope to cya in April!
~YA
