Country's growing aviation sector needs more young people to choose lucrative pilot career : Mahbub Ali
Dhaka : The first ever Job and Career Fair in Bangladesh Travel Trade generated on-spot appointments of skilled manpower in aviation, hospitality and tourism sectors. Such an initiative is crucial in today's time as the country requires plenty of skilled manpower to meet the growing demand of air travel. The aviation boom in the coming years would require more pilots in the country. Hence, it is high time the coming generation of young professionals opted for such a prestigious, lucrative, and adventurous career of flying.
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali said this, as the chief guest, while addressing a seminar on building career as an airline pilot held on the sidelines of Job and Career Fair in Bangladesh Travel Trade on March 20 at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka.
However, the industry cannot allow unqualified or unprofessional pilots to work, said the panel discussants at the seminar.
The panel discussants included Capt Ishtiaq Hossain and Capt Shumeila from Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Capt Shamsuzzahan and Capt Shawkatur Rahman from US-Bangla Airlines, Capt M Shafiuddin Kamal from Arirang Aviation Ltd, and Wing Cdr (Retd) ATM Nazrul Islam, former CEO of Galaxy Flying Academy while Capt Salahuddin M Rahmatullah, Head of AAIC-BD presented the keynote at the seminar.
Capt Salahuddin addressed that it is easier in Bangladesh to obtain a CPL license in a shorter period of time, compared to other countries. Also, the cost at flying academies here is very less than abroad. On top of it, with the growth of the country's aviation industry, demand of pilots is currently at all-time high, added Capt Salahuddin.
Therefore, young people should consider an attractive career as a pilot since it requires less investment or time and offers more rewards, and benefits, noted the panelists.
However, the panelists stressed that there is a need for more flying academies in the country, fully-equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. The few flying schools that are currently in service do not have any aircraft simulator. As a result, pilots have to go to foreign countries for training purposes.
Also, the panelists urged to offer graduation degrees to pilots. This will encourage more young people to choose this career. UGC should come forward in this regard, they added.
Furthermore, there should a cadet pilot programme in our country so that we could generate our own pilots, expressed the panelists.
The seminar was moderated by Kazi Wahidul Alam, Editor of The Bangladesh Monitor, organiser of the first ever Job and Career Fair in Bangladesh Travel Trade.
The seminar concluded with the State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism handing over on-spot appointment letters to the youngsters on behalf of the respective organisations that participated in the fair.
