If you dream of working in aviation and you are tired of school, ground handling is the place to start your career.
Passion and dedication are essential drivers to a successful career, be it in aviation or any other field says Kjell Mathisen, Corporate Training Manager at Aviator Airport Alliance. He further goes on to say that no prior experience is required to kick-start a career in aviation, a few months of specialized course training coupled with passion are enough to give you wings in aviation, he also explains the various courses, the training technics, the problems of skilled labor and a lot more in an exclusive interview with Swati. K.
Q – Many people dream of working in the glamorous aviation sector, but years of schooling and training are a major deterrent. According to you passion and dedication are enough for anyone to pursue a career in aviation. Can you elaborate on this thought?
A – Absolutely, and let me make clear that there are many jobs in the aviation sector that require schooling, graduation, and certification by the authorities. Even here, I dare to claim that passion and dedication are essential drivers to having a successful career.
But there are jobs in the aviation industry that do not have these requirements, like the ground handling sector for example. So, if you dream of working in aviation and you are tired of school, this is the place to start your career.
In my view, passion, and dedication to what you do will always pay off. When you have a passion for something, you are willing to learn, willing to take the extra step and explore the possibilities you have, and then act accordingly. These efforts will be noticed by superiors. One day, doors open for taking a new step, and you are recommended to apply.
Q – Can you explain to our aviation aspirers the exact role of ramp agents and passenger service agents? Only three weeks of training is enough for anyone to land a job in the ground handling sector?
A– A ramp agent has many tasks in an aircraft turnaround. First secure the aircraft when it comes to a stand by placing chocks, cones, and connecting ground power. Next comes connecting the stairs, so passengers can disembark. Then the unloading of baggage or cargo takes place.
Water and toilet service are performed as necessary. Then the aircraft is loaded with new baggage/cargo. When all this is done, the aircraft is pushed out from the stand for a new flight.
As a ramp agent, you will be trained to drive a variety of different Ground Support Equipment– from baggage, and tugs to belt loaders, stairs and cargo, container loaders, and some more vehicles and equipment.
Additional tasks that you will be trained on when gaining experience are to perform push-back and starting master. You may also become a loading supervisor. De-icing is also a task to be trained after gaining some experience at stations where this is performed.
A passenger services agent’s main tasks are to check-in and board passengers. This could seem to be an ever-easy task but one can be surprised by all the knowledge these staff members possess. They know or must be aware of numerous regulations and requirements from authorities, countries, and airlines. They must know how to check passports, visas, ID cards, etc. for travel destinations you might have never heard of. On top of that, they are proficient in several check-in systems and other systems used by passenger service agents.
This is a profession where you will meet all kinds of travelers, in turn, becoming a master in communication and problem-solving. You will also meet and assist youngsters traveling alone and assisting persons with disabilities.
When gaining experience, you will be trained to take care of loading tasks and take responsibility for an aircraft turnaround.
Q – What are the challenges in training amateurs, without any prior knowledge of aviation?
A– Many people who start are not very aware of the complex operations there are. The amount of information we are to deliver during the first part of their training is quite overwhelming. This is the trainer’s role to make it easy to understand and create trainee confidence for the tasks to be done.
We are part of a complex system where safety is the number one priority, this is also one part that is essential to address and make sure the trainees understand this importance.
Q – What are the prospects of ground handling service? For e.g – Promotions / Perks etc
A– There are possibilities for promotions.
Q – Over the years you must have seen and experienced numerous success stories of students entering the aviation field from different backgrounds, can you share a couple of stories with us?
A– In my previous job, we had people from all over the world – one of the fascinating parts of that job was to learn about their background and why they wanted to become pilots. We had people who all their lives wanted to become a pilot and many found out later. For example, we had students that previously were bio technicians, farmers, and many other different professions. One of the things they all had in common was a passion for flying and aviation. I know that some of them are now in managerial positions as well as trainer roles.
In my current position and company, we have a large number of people that have started their career in ground handling as extras in the summer, and now they take on department manager and station manager positions.
One example is my colleague, Jonas Brundin. He started his career as a ramp agent when he was asked by a friend if wanted to work additionally at an airport, so he did. Now, after a successful climb in the organization, he is the Managing Director for our Sweden operations.
Q – The global scarcity of skilled labor and desperate attempts at companies to retain talent, especially in aerospace MRO. What are your views?
A– This seems to become a very common issue throughout the industry, and we, of course, have to do our best to counteract and retain skilled staff. It is easy to go for the salaries and, I assume, they have an impact, but we must be open to other solutions within the organization to accomplish this. Work/off-work balance, career possibilities, and competence enhancements, to mention some off the top of my head.
Q – How according to you will the problem of skilled labor shortage be solved? What steps should be taken by organizations/governments etc to avoid a future crisis?
A-We have seen that glamour is fading in aviation and, instead, environmental concerns are rising. Here, I believe, we must be an active part in promoting that the aviation industry is a part of the change to more environmentally friendly operations.
The organizations/governments must be better at actively promoting sustainability, actions taken and to be taken. Some few companies have done that, very visible in many different media and the rest must follow.
I believe also, as an organization, we have to be much more visible in different media to attract staff. We have to promote the exciting part of what it is to work at an airport – no day is the same, and the ever-changing environment is rewarding when solving all kinds of challenges that pop up every day.
Aviator and our parent company Avia Solutions Group have adapted this method, and we are actively using the platforms available.
Q – What advice would you give to students currently pursuing or attempting to pursue a career in aviation?
A-Go for it! You will not be disappointed, and I do believe the aviation and travel industries are the ones that will withstand any occurring factors, so your future career is here to stay, too. There are so many opportunities to make a career in so many different areas within aviation. Follow your passion, you will not regret it.
