The Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Capt Sam Caulcrick, has urged the Federal Government to formulate policies that would encourage the best of the talented Nigerian youths through scholarships and subsidised fees to pursue careers in the aviation industry.
This is just as he disclosed that the institution till date has trained over 13,000 Nigerians and foreign professionals including pilots, Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) aeronautic engineers’, aircraft maintenance engineers and other relevant non-professionals.
The NCAT boss posited that there were a lot of opportunities in the sector for young Nigerians, adding that it behooves on the alumni to make their dreams come true
He stated that the Kenya Airways model, where banks give training loans or the American model, where taxpayers money is used via military are worth considering
But lamented that there was no funding in 2015 budget proposal for the insurance of college aircraft and assets
He disclosed this during the maiden Nigerian College of Aviation Technology Alumni Association (NCATAA)at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority(NCAA)Annex, international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport(MMA),Lagos.
Speaking further, he said that the school understands the dynamism of the aviation industry, and that as result the college would not rest on its oars.
He stated that the dream of the aviation institution is to fly higher and compete favourably with other world class aviation training institutions.
According to him, “We understand the dynamism of the aviation industry .Therefore, we do not intend to rest on our modest achievements but our dream is to fly even higher and compete favourably with other world class aviation training institutions”
The maiden Alumni gathering, Caulcrick stated was for sober reflection, adding that the topic of the conference, ”Human Resources Development in Nigerian Aviation: Challenges and Imperatives” clearly demonstrate that more obligation was required as partners to improve capacity building human resources and the infrastructure.
The NCAT boss stated that as NCATAA discuss the challenges and imperatives of the human resources development in the aviation sector, one fundamental issue that has obviously become a debilitating effect in the sector is the high cost of training aviation professionals.
He cautioned NCATAA not to celebrate the fact that it is only the children of the rich that are being trained as aviation professionals, but lamented that there were a lot of Nigerians whose desire is to be aviators but could not because they could afford the cost.
According to him, “As we discussed the challenges and imperatives of the human resources development in the aviation industry one fundamental issue that has obviously become a debilitating effect in the industry is the high cost of training aviation professionals. We should not celebrate that aviation training is now the preserve of the children of the rich .There are many young and talented Nigerians who have the natural interest and brain to become good aviators like you and I, but who could not attain their dreams because they cannot afford the cost of becoming one.”
He continued, “I think we need to urgently take slept to make aviation training not an exclusive elitist field, available for the rich alone but a profession that any willing and qualified Nigerian should aspire to.”
