Pilot Shortages: Yet another Australian Initiative to Recruit International Skills
27/05/2008 by Tamar Blieden
The solution to Australia's ever growing skills scarcities is constantly targeted through foreign recruitment and the establishment of lenient immigration policies. This again has been highlighted by the Australian airline industry as they look abroad to fill up pilot shortages.
Qantas' cut-price airlines Jetstar have confirmed reports that they shall recruit international flight crew members through the introduction of a drive to attain 75 international pilots. These pilots would be brought in under the temporary 457 work visa.
"Australian work permits also known as the 457 visas allows an Australian company to find skilled migrants to fill specific roles within their company," explains Erin Ryan of global mobility specialists Global Visas (www.globalvisas.net.au).
Qantas claim that they desperately need highly skilled pilots with sufficient experience; this is often blamed on a lack of sufficient training in the industry. It is emphasised that through highly skilled foreign workers those Australians with basic skills can learn and be trained.
However unions have lambasted this initiative calling an end to foreign recruitment within airlines, particularly as the use of locals to fill jobs is seen as essential in their opinion.
Yesterday, General Manager Peter Somervilles of the Australian and International Pilots Association formally criticised this initiative by stating that, "Jetstars' use of 457 visas is the wrong medicine for a misdiagnosed ailment, which will have long-term repercussions for Australian pilots."
Nevertheless recruitment continues, especially as the idea that there is a worldwide pilot shortage is highlighted within the airline industry. So far the budget airline has looked at Britain, South Africa and Europe to fulfil positions, with the first visa application for this initiative being processed last week.
The airline industry highlights the fact that the majority of airline employees are local with a total of 15 foreigners per month. Qantas therefore reject any criticism as they claim that millions of Australian dollars are spend on local recruitment and training.
The Australian government has recently increased the number of visas put through each year in a bid to fill the shortages; therefore almost every industry is looking to attract foreigners to Australia, "the excess of calls Global Visas receive on a daily basis from recruiters looking for skilled foreigners is testament to this," says Ryan.
As Minister of Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Evans recently told thinkingaustralia.com, "the demands of business are hitting us in the face," therefore a better immigration policy through increasing the numbers of visas is seen as vital.
Jetstar aims to expand as a service provider, particularly as it introduces the use of wide-bodied jets on Asian flights and it is believed that without necessary skills coming from overseas this cannot be achieved.
USA
UK
Australia
Canada
South Africa
New Zealand
Ireland
India
China
Philippines