WAI-University of Nebraska Studies for Building Women in Aviation

Recognizing the global aviation industry is facing an unprecedented challenge to meet the hiring needs of aviation professionals in the workforce, Women in Aviation International worked with Dr. Becky Lutte, Associate Professor, University of Nebraska at Omaha Aviation Institute, on a series of studies to provide a current look at where the gaps in employment are for women in aviation. Together, the study results can be used by aviation companies and organizations globally to guide recruitment and retention strategies of women in their workforce.

The first study Women in the Aviation Workforce Report wascompleted in late Spring 2019. Findings of this study were augmented with acomprehensive study specifically focusing on recruitment and retention issuesof women in the aviation industry. Both sets of results allow the industry toidentify and target the areas where women are most underrepresented, to betterunderstand why women pursue a career in aviation, why they stay in theindustry, and how the industry can build a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

“Combined, these two surveys tell a story of the number ofwomen in multiple sectors and professions of aviation, what factors will assistin recruiting more women, and what factors influence the retention of women inthe industry,” Dr. Lutte said. “The two areas with less than 5% representationof women are maintenance technicians and airline executives. The next area withthe greatest gap in employment is pilots. Only 5% of airline pilots are female.On a positive note, the total number of female pilots has increased in the last10 years, but in that decade the increase has been just over 1% to a total of7.3% of female pilots and we can do better,” she added.

Dr. Lutte presented the details of the latest membershipsurvey results during the February Aviation Accreditation Board International’sWinter Meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and during an education session at theWAI 2020 conference in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, on Friday, March 6.

Survey respondents were from a variety of occupations andfound factors that draw women into the aviation field are – passion foraviation, perceived as an adventurous profession, perceived as a funprofession, desire to prove personal abilities, and desire for a challengingcareer. Three factors emerged that negatively influence women’s desire topursue or remain in aviation – cost of required training/education, perceivedexistence of good ole boy network, and perceived family life impact.

"Workforce development and constructing additionalprograms and initiatives to propel women of all ages and backgrounds to followtheir own personal aviation dreams are chief among WAI priorities," saysAllison McKay, WAI CEO. "We are excited to partner with Dr. Lutte andUniversity of Nebraska Omaha Aviation Institute to assist us with this valuableresearch that will help us create these programs and results for our membersand the aerospace community," adds McKay.

The data derived from this research will assist in theindustry’s efforts for outreach, recruitment, and retention of women inaviation.