Recruitment and training: a challenge for aeronautics

“Aeronautics needs you.” This could be the slogan of the companies gathered at Le Bourget this week. They intend to take advantage of the show to get in touch with a large public, in order to make the reality of their professions better known. Objective? Encourage vocations among the youngest, convince students, identify future candidates and recruit.

Because the sector is now looking at 360 degrees, ready to train candidates who have no experience in aeronautics or a diploma. And, contrary to popular belief, it does not only hire hyper-qualified engineers: "We encourage all those who are interested in aeronautics to take the plunge: everyone has a chance!" invites Thibault Le Guillou, head of employment marketing at Airbus in France.

The sector finds itself in an unprecedented situation. It is looking for skills both in the traditional professions of production (mechanics, welders, fitters, boilermakers, etc.) and engineering (design office, maintenance) but also in the new digital professions (software, artificial intelligence , cyber-security, data analysis, etc. and emerging professions linked to the decarbonisation of aviation (specialist in new materials and eco-design, hydrogen engineers).

Since the end of the Covid-19 crisis, demand has rebounded. With more than 7,230 aircraft to produce, Airbus, like Dassault Aviation* (251 aircraft, including 164 Rafale and 87 Falcon business jets), has almost ten years of activity in the order book. "This is unheard of. This decade combines a double need: to increase the rates in order to meet demand and a profound transformation of the sector in order to achieve net zero emissions", analyzes Philippe Dujaric, director of social affairs and training at Gifas, the union employers of the French aeronautical and space industries.

In this context, Gifas is mobilizing its "clusters" in the regions even more and strengthening its links with the education system, in particular vocational high schools, as well as with Pôle emploi, which has just included twelve aeronautical specialties in its list of professions under tension. This Friday, Gifas must sign a three-year national agreement with the public operator in order to amplify relations between the two partners and have a network of aeronautical referents in all Pôle emploi agencies throughout the territory.

This, in order to identify job seekers interested in a career in aeronautics. “After tests and training, the sector has thus recruited 160 former job seekers in 2021, 700 in 2022 and will be more this year. Among these new recruits, profiles from ready-to-wear or fast food and many women who have demonstrated the skills sought by the sector”, specifies Philippe Dujaric. Aeronautics now sees beyond the CV alone.

In this context, Gifas is also counting on the Avion des métiers, of which this is the fifth edition, to raise awareness among young people. Installed in the Concorde hall of the Paris Air Show, the device enlists 15 companies, which offer to discover 17 trades presented by their employees - Daher for example mobilizes twelve fitters -, within the framework of a course of demonstrations of industrial operations but also control of machines by digital tablets, and exchanges with visitors. "We also have modules on decarbonization and its professions", specifies Philippe Dujaric.

During job interviews, companies are increasingly asked about their concrete actions to reduce polluting emissions. “We have to prove that we are accelerating and say to future employees: “come and accelerate with us”, launches the director of social affairs of Gifas. The idea is to reconnect with the pioneering spirit by offering young people the opportunity to contribute to the development of breakthrough aircraft, neutral for the environment. Visitors are invited to get a feel for the innovative technologies used for decarbonization within the Paris Air Lab.

About 45 schools and institutes, located in the Concorde hall, offer training. These initiatives are organized in partnership with associations, such as Air Emploi or Elles Bougent, in order to convince young girls that these aeronautical professions are open to them. “We have to get out of clichés that distribute the roles in a caricatural way, with on one side the pilot, Top Gun style and, on the other, the air hostess! All trades are accessible to young women, ”insists Philippe Dujaric.

The Trades Plane expects thousands of visitors. “We already have 5,000 pre-registered school visitors from 200 establishments located 40% in Île-de-France and 30% in Normandy”, explains the director of social affairs at Gifas. For its part, Airbus has chartered an ATR, a regional plane, to bring high school students to Le Bourget.

Another place of exchange, hall 2 where some 200 companies have set up a recruitment space. In hall 5, it is the regions and temporary work players who welcome visitors. Everywhere, job offers are offered and job dating sessions organized. Because, as the slogan of his national campaign proclaims, which is stopping off at Le Bourget this week, “aero is recruiting”.

*The Dassault group owns the “Figaro”.