Combating talent shortages in the aviation sector

The Australian aviation industry is currently experiencing key talent shortages, particularly among pilots, flight instructors, and aviation maintenance engineers, according to the white paper. This lack of specialised talent leads to weaknesses in international supply chains and hampers the ability of airlines to operate reliably and safely.

Additionally, the paper stresses that diversity must be a key focus of development, stating that two-thirds of people currently employed in the aviation industry are men, with an ever-greater disparity in many operational and technical roles.

The consequences of inaction can be severe, with both the Australian government and industry leaders noting talent shortages as a national priority. 

The Australian Aviation Summit is set to return in 2025 to address this issue. The highly anticipated summit will explore how industry leaders can navigate ongoing skilled worker shortages and invest in the next generation of aviation professionals. 

The summit will feature a dedicated session titled ‘Addressing talent shortages in the Australian aviation industry’ to unpack the main causes of our industry’s skilled labour shortages. 

During the session, the expert panellists will discuss diversity and inclusion, attracting and retaining top talent, and adapting to emerging technologies and regulations. 

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RMIT University Aviation Academy general manager and deputy CEO, Justin Brownjohn, will join other industry leaders for the panel discussion. 

The RMIT University Aviation Academy is at the forefront of aviation education, training, and research, with RMIT University holding a long-standing legacy of more than 80 years in the global aviation industry. 

By harnessing the infrastructure and cross-disciplinary capabilities across the university, RMIT University Aviation Academy has developed sector-leading pilot training, bolstering the largest owned fleet in Australian Higher Education, with facilities in Melbourne and flight training sites in Point Cook and regional Victoria.

Pilot training is a crucial component of the Australian Government’s roadmap to 2050, which outlines expectations for large Australian airlines to employ newly qualified pilots rather than exclusively relying on the recruitment of experienced pilots.

RMIT University Aviation Academy’s training program plays a crucial role in addressing this challenge. 

Brownjohn heads up the operational and training delivery at RMIT University Aviation Academy, where he oversees the delivery of domestic and international student flight training programs, as well as international airline cadet training. He also delivers the academy’s Australian Defence Force contracts.

At RMIT, Brownjohn has played an instrumental role in implementing workforce professionalisation programs for two global airlines and delivering Australia’s first flight instructor development program. The program focuses on HF/NTS and understanding how we can best prepare flight instructors for their future Commands. 

In his panel session, Brownjohn will draw on his 20 years of global aviation experience to outline how our industry can improve training programs to address key talent shortages. 

Brownjohn’s experience spans prominent carriers, including Virgin Australia, Singapore Airlines Group, and Qatar Airways, where he gained exposure in diverse global markets such as Australia, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. 

He is also a vocal advocate for integrating safety, quality, and performance management systems into flight training environments.

To hear Justin Brownjohn discuss overcoming talent shortages in the aviation industry, come along to the Australian Aviation Summit 2025. 

Run in partnership with Principal Partner, Leidos, the event will take place on Thursday, 14 August at Ilumina in Sydney. Click here to buy tickets. 

To learn more about the summit, including our agenda and speakers, click here.