Norwegian is starting a collaboration with four pilot schools to train pilots. The collaboration aims to secure future skills and workforce in a socially critical industry. The agreement is a win-win for both Norwegian and the pilots who are offered jobs after completing their studies.
– This is a great opportunity to attract pilots and through the cooperation agreement we can get to know the cadets during their training. Those who are then hired can start working immediately while also receiving type-rating for the type of aircraft that Norwegian flies. At the aviation colleges they also receive other necessary theoretical and further training courses, says Guro Poulsen, Executive Vice President PEOPLE at Norwegian.
The collaboration agreement is important because forecasts show an increased need for more pilots globally in the coming years. This is due to today's pilots getting older, the demand for air travel is increasing and the increased costs of pilot training can be a barrier to becoming a pilot.
Pilot schools help ensure a qualified workforce in the aviation industry Norwegian has entered into agreements with the pilot schools Lund University School of Aviation (TFHS) in Sweden, OSM Aviation Academy in Norway, Centre Air Pilot Academy (CAPA) in Denmark and FTEJerez in Spain, all of which are well-regarded in the industry with a modern aircraft fleet and experienced instructors that make the pilot schools attractive to future pilots.
–With this agreement, we continue the fruitful and mutual cooperation we have had with Norwegian since 2008 when Norwegian was involved in starting the MPL training that we continue to run today (Multi Crew Pilot License). As a so-called host airline "In the MPL training, we have contributed to the company's skills supply for sixteen years together and we are proud to continue that collaboration," says Johan Bergström, Operations Manager and Accountable Manager at TFHS.
The pilot training lasts approximately 20 months. Those students that Norwegian gets to know and believes will fit in with the company will be offered jobs immediately after completing their studies.
Aviation ensures access to critical infrastructure and is of great importance to society, which is why access to skilled pilots is important both now and in the future. Norwegian alone employs almost 1,300 pilots. Norwegian Group, which consists of Norwegian and Widerøes Flyveselskap, has just over 8,500 employees.
These are the pilot schools that Norwegian will collaborate with:
Lund University School of Aviation (TFHS) in Sweden
OSM Aviation Academy in Norway and Sweden
Center Air Pilot Academy (CAPA) in Denmark
FTEJerez in Spain
According to the press release.
