Drivers of Change for Smart Occupations and Qualifications in Aviation

In the context of aviation education management, the necessary conditions for developing emerging jobs and improving training must take into consideration drivers of change that will transform the air transport system and require the development of new skills and knowledge. The paper focuses on the challenges and changes in future occupations and identifies new qualifications needed to meet the trends in air transport. The changing nature of work in following years considers both the occupations that are going to disappear and those that will be created. These will imply important modifications in labour market, education and training. After analyzing the perspective of the labour market requirements and the aspects that have the potential to transform businesses or even destabilize the industry, future occupations are reviewed in terms of economic benefit, new modes of consumption and influences on the market. Since the opinions of specialists regarding the forecasts for the opportunities and threats in aviation vary, the authors suggest a shift to a knowledge-based economy supporting the changing nature of work in the need for high qualified employees. Thus, the goal to provide the labour market with competent workforce through cooperation between governments, education institutions, industry employers and regulators is supported.