South Africa's previous efforts in developing women in aviation or aerospace lacks impact on higher levels, in-fact we have little to show for it. Recruitment agencies, NRF and other research institutions has indicated with statistical data this shortage.
SOUTH AFRICA perceives aerospace as a potential sector to boost it’s economy and as a result the government has recently highly prioritized Aerospace Industry---which includes Aviation, Defence & Space. “A Sectoral Analysis Of The Aerospace Industry In South Africa” was the research project commissioned by the department of labor; it was conducted by a consortium that included the Human Science Research Council (HSRC), Development Policy Research Unit and Sociology of Work Unit. This research emphasized on the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS) role is providing strong input towards aerospace industry development. Amongst other issues highlighted the shortages of qualified skilled personnel in both engineering and aerospace management especially in black females.
Formal training in aerospace is very limited in South Africa. Aerospace companies obtain a large part of their training from international customers. One common practice involves sending technicians and engineering staff abroad given the scarcity of trained aerospace personnel. This is unfortunately the current predicament that must definitely change in the future, we can also say that these are still investments periods for the country’s aerospace education and there will come a time where we reach breakeven point and begin reaping from our investments.
We need to increase our offering spectrum of aerospace degrees provided inside South African universities available for ALL South Africans, ...till then we will continue to experience lack especially female engineers. Sending individuals one by one to countries such as France and the USA to educate our own is not sustainable in the long run. 2030-2050 we need to be graduating our own aerospace human resources in this sector.
The status quo in South Africa can only be changed by us aviators. Honestly I feel chosen by the circumstances to make the change.
The idea is increasing masters and Ph.D holders in this field, not only will anable to add new innovative ideas to our industry but also to supervise and mentor other researches and teach in our own universities to produce more and more aviators and aerospace personnel. More importantly this will be our opportunity as South Africa to finally stop our total dependability to other countries. South Africa will have the same aeronautical or astronautics universities within South Africa for SADEC region providing the same level of education for it’s citizen. For the university or similar training institutions to exist the country will need professors and part of that, it will require talent with PH.D’s in this field.
Our children, our future demands better from us, we need to act now, we need to implement, we need a plan and most importantly we need to make ourselves accountable to each other. The current situation needs a more aggressive approach and awareness in stimulating education appetite in our human resources in opposite to position and promotion appetite.
Implementation; +/-action
Implementation is to carry out, it is to put into action, it is to perform, it is to complete, it is to satisfy or to fulfill.
The definition of implementation that resonated within me was, "To fill Up". So we need to fill up what? Fill up the gaps, fill up the expectations, fill up the roles, fill up the facilities, the institutions, etc... We need to start filling up and putting our money to align with our conversations.
The idea is increasing masters and Ph.D holders in this field, not only will anable to add new innovative ideas to our industry but also to supervise and mentor other researches and teach in our own universities to produce more and more aviators and aerospace personnel. More importantly this will be our opportunity as South Africa to finally stop our total dependability to other countries. South Africa will have the same aeronautical or astronautics universities within South Africa for SADEC region providing the same level of education for it’s citizen. For the university or similar training institutions to exist the country will need professors and part of that, it will require talent with PH.D’s in this field.
Our children, our future demands better from us, we need to act now, we need to implement, we need a plan and most importantly we need to make ourselves accountable to each other. The current situation needs a more aggressive approach and awareness in stimulating education appetite in our human resources in opposite to position and promotion appetite.
Implementation; +/-action
Implementation is to carry out, it is to put into action, it is to perform, it is to complete, it is to satisfy or to fulfill.
The definition of implementation that resonated within me was, "To fill Up". So we need to fill up what? Fill up the gaps, fill up the expectations, fill up the roles, fill up the facilities, the institutions, etc... We need to start filling up and putting our money to align with our conversations.
No comments:
Post a Comment