Transfer your aviation skills to another industry

The aviation industry has been heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with thousands of workers made redundant. However, there are opportunities in other industries for jobs that suit your skills.

This information may be useful if you've had a technical-related job in the aviation industry, for example as an aeroplane pilot, aeronautical engineer or air traffic controller.

Workers in the aviation industry often operate in high-pressure environments where time is very valuable. The wide range of skills gained in the aviation industry include:

• ability to work in a team
• ability to follow and enforce strict procedures or processes
• being reliable and dependable
• clear communication skills
• mathematical and technical knowledge
• quick thinking and decisiveness
• remaining calm under pressure.

Although certain jobs in the aviation industry require a specific set of skills, many of them use transferable skills like the ones listed above – meaning they can be transferred from one job to another. There are job opportunities within transport or in other sectors, such as engineering, that suit skills developed in the aviation industry. Possible jobs include:

• Bus driver
• Crane operator
• Earthmoving machine operator
• Lift technician
• Mechanical engineer
• Train driver

You can look for jobs using these websites.

• Job vacancy and recruitment agency websites

Skills learned by both pilots and aircraft engineers are similar to those used in the maritime industry. With 99% of exports and imports in New Zealand being transported via shipping, the maritime industry has good long-term career prospects. You can get customised maritime and logistics training depending on your level of experience.

• New Zealand Maritime School website - find out about study options 

You could also consider other options such as changing your career altogether.

• Start to plan or change your career

• Your transferable skills can take you anywhere
• What are skills?
• Use our skill matcher tool
• Sign up to our e-newsletter for job hunting tips delivered straight to your inbox

Sources

• Buckens, K, Industry Engagement and Simulator Training Manager, New Zealand Maritime School, careers.govt.nz interview, 22 June 2020.
• Fly General Aviation website, ‘What Traits & Skills Must Pilots Have? What Makes A Good Pilot?’, accessed May 2020, (www.fly-ga.co.uk).