Aviation industry leaders have come away from a jobs and skills round-table meeting feeling optimistic and impressed with the level of engagement shown by the Federal Government.
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King hosted the round table in Canberra last Tuesday to discuss issues and solutions to present to the Federal Government's Jobs and Skills Summit next week.
Industry representatives included associations, airlines, airports and unions covering most aspects of aviation.
According to some of those that attended the meeting, the aviation community reached consensus over a number of issues including the need for skilled migration as a short-term solution to engineer shortages, and obstructions in training pipelines.
"We had a very open conversation between a wide range of aviation representatives," a spokesperson for the minister told Australian Flying.
"It’s clear that there are skills shortages across the sector from a critical lack of pilots and engineers, to ground and in-flight crew.
"It was pleasing that participants were very engaged and committed to exploring ways to overcome shared challenges in the sector and ensure aviation continues to be an attractive industry to build a career in.
"Our Government is committed to increasing collaboration to work towards our collective goals and the aviation round table was an important first step in that process."
Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA) CEO Steve Campbell came away from the round table believing that Minister King engaged well with the industry and clearly wanted to understand the problems with shortages of engineers and flight crews.
"I found the round-table meeting very productive," he said. "The minister was very engaged and geniunely wanted to hear what the issues and what our thoughts were on solutions.
"I am cautious optimistic, but am keen to see tangible outcomes from summit that will help with skills shortages in areas such as engineering
"We put forward some short-term solutions in skilled migration, but we also understand we have a responsibility to look at long-term solutions such as training pathways, and we look forward to working with the government and CASA on streamlining processes to improve access for regional people in particular."
Maddy Johnson, chair of the Australian Flight Training Industry Association (AFTIA) said that the round table was a good forum for all sectors to have their views aired and listened to.
"From an AFTIA perspective, because we want to view things as an ecosystem, the fact that there was such a broad range of the industry represented, it was really good for all of them to hear from the 'plankton' in the room.
"It was important that they recognise that the training sector was a lynchpin for the rest of the industry to survive.
"The minister was very engaged and she did moderate the room incredibly well. We are hoping she understands the critical nature of where things are at with some sectors of the industry, and that rapid responses and positive actions need to occur in the immediate future, with a view towards long-term changes that are more structured."
The minister's spokesperson said King would now provide feedback to the Treasurer to ensure issues raised at the aviation round table are included in the government's Jobs and Skills Summit next week.
The Jobs and Skills Summit is scheduled for 1-2 September at Parliament House, Canberra.