The former government awarded scholarships for pilot training without regard to the Maldives’ aviation sector, resulting in students suffering the consequences, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen has said.
The lack of employment opportunities for students who complete pilot training is a matter of concern.
Responding to a listener’s question on Dhivehi Raajjeyge Adu’s Ahaashey Bunaanan Programme, Minister Ameen said the Maldives’ aviation sector is expanding at a rate of about 7 percent per year. Noting that this is a relatively small growth, the Minister said over the last five years, scholarships were granted to over 500 students to undergo pilot training, while an additional 200 students funded their own pilot training.
However, only twenty of the new graduates get job opportunities annually, the Minister noted. This is the amount of pilot employment that is created annually given the country’s aviation market, he said. Therefore, the then government issued scholarships to several students to undergo pilot training without any consideration for the actual demand within the aviation market, he said.
"The government granted over 500 scholarships in this field. Highly capable students are studying in this field. Neither the students nor their parents are aware of the employment situation in this field. More scholarships have been granted than the number of pilots needed in the country,” the Minister said.
Minister Ameen acknowledged this as a significant concern, and said the existence of a policy that grants scholarships based on the country’s employment needs could produce more educated people for more pressing areas.
The Minister said local flight operators have been pressured into hiring more pilots than needed to address grievances from unemployed pilots. The Minister said the government does not intend to offer new scholarships to undergo pilot training as there are no more job opportunities in the field.
"I do not believe the government will open up scholarship opportunities [in this sector] for the time being. It is more important to give priority to other fields. If students in this field wish to switch to a different area of study, they will have the opportunity to do so. However, those who do not wish to do so can choose to continue. However, I do not believe it is wise to send additional students for pilot training,” the Minister said.
The Minister highlighted the importance of steering students towards field with stronger employment prospects in the Maldives. He stressed that the country urgently needs professionals in other critical areas.