EMPLOYABILITY IN DUAL CERTIFICATION

Employability In Dual Certification

Abstract

In this study, we try to explore the concept of A&P and Avionics dual certification in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on dual certification and its relation with A&P and Avionics. The research also analyzes many aspects of employability in dual certification and tries to gauge its effect on aviation industry. Most airlines hire mechanics that have FAA certification. The FAA offers certification for airframe mechanics and powerplant mechanics, although most airlines prefer to hire mechanics with a A&P and avionics dual certificate.

Employability In Dual Certification

Introduction

The aviation sector in US and UK is amongst the most promising ones, driven by a massive boom in tourism and increasing levels of disposable incomes. The liberalisation of the sector in the mid-nineties has resulted in a remarkable growth as a large number of private service airlines entered the sector. Strong government support and private participation, coupled with the availability of skilled manpower, and favourable business environment have positioned India as an attractive investment destination on the world map.

Recording the strongest growth in the world, US domestic aviation market has tripled in the past five years, according to a latest report of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). USA is currently one of the largest aviation market in the world. The government's open sky policy has attracted many foreign players to enter the market and the industry is growing in terms of both players and the number of aircrafts. Given the strong market fundamentals, it is expected that the civil aviation market will register more than 16 per cent CAGR during 2010-2013.

Passengers carried by domestic airlines during January - May 2011 were 24.5 million as against 21 million during the corresponding period of previous year thereby registering a growth of 17.6 per cent, according to the latest data released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). For the first time, domestic traffic in a month has registered 5.5 million passengers carried with three airlines viz (Jacoby, 2004).

Evidence shows that front-line employees play a critical role in achieving quality and productivity outcomes in the airline industry and those with dual certification have got a good chance of having a good job. As a result, airlines around the world have looked to the management of their workforce for potential sources of advantage, striving to achieve either lower unit costs or superior customer service, or both. However, there are a variety of approaches for achieving such advantages and some are more effective than others. In addition to firm-level strategies, the industry-level structures and processes that shape the employment relationship are also important (Koch, 2006).

That is, airlines are part of an air transport system that involves competitors, partners in code sharing and other relationships, unions that represent employees at multiple airlines, and government regulatory agencies (such as the National Mediation Board (NMB) in the USA) that oversee labor relations in the airline industry and participate actively in the resolution of collective bargaining ...