👉 1st White Paper on the digitization of plant operational management 👈
February 21, 2024

Skills management in the aeronautics sector: Keystone for a changing industry

Faced with the unprecedented challenges and disruptive innovations that are redefining the aeronautics landscape, mastering the skills management is the key to ensuring the sector's agility and resilience. As the industry embarks on an era of radical transformation, propelled by technological advances and ecological imperatives, the ability to anticipate and adapt to tomorrow's skills lies at the heart of the strategy for maintaining competitiveness and stimulating innovation.

The aerospace industry, a pillar of innovation and technology, is facing a series of unprecedented changes that are redefining its needs in terms of skills and expertise. These changes are mainly driven by rapid technological advances, stringent regulatory developments, growing demands for sustainable development and the profound impacts of the global pandemic. Each factor plays a pivotal role in the transformation of the aeronautical landscape, highlighting the crucial importance of adapting workforce skills to remain competitive and innovative.

Technological change and the need for new skills

The advent of Industry 4.0 marks a revolution in the aerospace sector, bringing with it a paradigmatic shift in the skills required. The integration of technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and massive data analysis, is redrawing the contours of traditional professions and creating new ones. Digitization and automation are becoming key drivers of this transformation, requiring professionals not only to master digital tools but also to be able to adapt rapidly to innovations.

Adaptation to international standards and regulations

At a time when safety and the environment are becoming major global issues, mastery of international standards is an absolute must. Constantly evolving regulations call for specialized skills in compliance management and regulatory monitoring. Professionals must be able to interpret and apply international directives, thereby guaranteeing flight safety and environmental protection.

aeronautics sector

Managing the ecological transition

Faced with the urgency of climate change, the aeronautical sector is being pushed towards an ecological transition, underlining the need for skills in eco-design and sustainable innovation. The development and implementation of new green technologies, such as alternative fuels or electric propulsion systems, requires specific expertise and training. training training. The challenges associated with this ecological transition are not just technical, but also cultural, requiring a real transformation of mindsets and practices within the industry.

These challenges highlight the need for proactive proactive skills management in the aeronautical sector, a strategic issue to ensure its long-term survival and development. The ability to anticipate and respond effectively to the need for new skills is becoming a key success factor in a changing world.

Training and skills enhancement

Visit continuous training is emerging as an essential pillar in the development and adaptation of skills in the aerospace sector. In the face of rapid technological and regulatory change, continuous continuous training ensure that employees remain at the cutting edge of their field, enriching their know-how and adaptability. In addition, on-the-job learning initiatives, in synergy with established partnerships with educational institutions, provide a robust practical and theoretical framework for skills development, facilitating knowledge transfer and innovation within the industry.

Forward-looking management of jobs and skills (GPEC)

The GPEC represents a crucial strategy for anticipating and planning future skills requirements in the aeronautical sector. This approach enables the precise identification of essential skills over the medium and long term, thus ensuring a continuous match between human resources and the company's strategic objectives. Innovative GPEC methodologies, adopted by key players such as Airbus, illustrate a desire to align talent with development prospects and emerging technologies, promoting proactive and strategic skills management.

Internal mobility and talent management

Internal mobility plays a central role in developing and retaining talent within the aerospace industry. By offering opportunities for professional growth and development, companies can not only strengthen employee commitment, but also optimize the use of their skills. Advanced talent management practices, including recognition, personalized development and diversified career paths, contribute to the creation of a dynamic and stimulating work environment, where each individual can realize his or her full potential.

LISI Aerospace innovations in operational and skills management

As a pioneer in the aerospace industry, LISI Aerospacea subsidiary of the LISI group, is renowned for its ability to integrate advanced digital solutions for real-time monitoring of its operators' skills and training. Present in 9 countries and a key supplier of aeronautical assembly components, LISI Aerospace operates in an environment where precision and compliance with safety standards are paramount. Faced with the challenges of operational agility and talent management, the company chose to break away from the traditional Excel-based methods it had been using for over fifteen years, in favor of the digital solution Mercateam.

This transition to Mercateam enabled LISI Aerospace to revolutionize its skills managementand continuous trainingand internal mobility, ensuring increased organizational productivity and unprecedented flexibility. Thanks to this collaboration, LISI Aerospace was able to eliminate 23 Excel files for each group of 100 people, simplify the training audit process, and guarantee instant access to essential documents, thus optimizing absenteeism management and minimizing the risks associated with the use of high-risk machines.

Mercateam's key functionalities, such as automatic planning, real-time skills management via a skills and clearance matrix accessible directly in the field, and an alert system for expiring clearances, have been decisive. Not only have they improved communication between the teams and the HR department, but they have also strengthened the sense of belonging and self-worth of every employee.

The implementation of this digital strategy has had a measurable positive impact on the company, resulting in a 20% increase in the versatility rate within the plant, a doubling of responsiveness and agility to meet the challenges of the health crisis, and a significant reduction in audit preparation and training time thanks to customized workflows.

LISI Aerospace, with Mercateam's support, is demonstrating a holistic approach to skills management and professional development, essential to maintaining its leadership position in a constantly evolving aerospace sector.

Innovations in aeronautical training

The aerospace industry is investing in innovative training, such as the use of augmented and virtual reality, to simulate complex work environments and enhance practical learning. These technologies offer immersive experiences, making it easier to understand and remember specific procedures and techniques. In addition, partnerships between aerospace companies and educational institutions play a key role in the development of specialized curricula, closely aligning training programs with the sector's requirements and innovations, ensuring that future professionals are well prepared for the challenges of aerospace.

These strategies and initiatives illustrate the importance attached to skills development in the aerospace sector, a fundamental element in navigating the complex and rapidly changing industry landscape. By placing people at the heart of their strategy, companies can not only meet today's requirements but also anticipate future needs, guaranteeing their sustainability and success in the era of Industry 4.0 and beyond.

Tomorrow's aeronautical skills

Aeronautics, a sector at the cutting edge of technology, is constantly changing, driven by technological advances and environmental imperatives. To navigate this ever-changing landscape, anticipating future skills is essential. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics and sustainable device design are redefining the skills required. At the same time, the emphasis on reducing the ecological footprint requires expertise in eco-design and energy management. In this context, the agility and adaptability of professionals are becoming invaluable qualities, enabling industry players to remain competitive and innovative.

Recommendations for proactive skills management

To stay ahead of the game, effective competitive and technological intelligence is essential. This involves continuous monitoring of market trends, technological innovations and regulatory developments, so as to be able to rapidly adapt training and skills development strategies. It is also recommended to adopt flexible and scalable approaches to talent management, encouraging continuous trainingprofessional development and internal mobility. This will enable aerospace companies to prepare for future challenges and seize opportunities arising from industry changes.

The skills management plays a strategic role in the aeronautical industry, directly conditioning its competitiveness and ability to innovate. In an environment marked by rapid, far-reaching change, investing in skills development is more than just a necessity; it's a strategic approach that guarantees the long-term future and success of companies.

Faced with the scale of the challenges and the vast opportunities of sectoral change, a collective effort by industry players is imperative. Together, they can shape a future in which the aerospace sector continues to fly high, supported by a skilled, adaptable workforce ready to take on the challenges of tomorrow.