Hard-Hit Aviation Industry Ripe for the Picking

We are big fans of aviation and the professionals who ensure people and goods can move around the country and overseas quickly. It was also one of the hardest-hit industries in 2020 and 2021. As travel restrictions were put in place last year, millions of management and skilled professionals became underemployed. From Automotive to HVAC we have seen companies snapping up aviation people from pilots to engineers.

It’s amazing how educated, skilled, and smart people can succeed in almost any industry. The management, logistics and maintenance skills in aviation can successfully transition to manufacturing, construction, and practically every other industry we can think of. This is a problem for aviation companies, but an opportunity for every other employer.

We see clients every day who say they want certain skill sets and experience from a specific industry.  We immediately need to ask them “Why?”. A plant manager can’t tell me that food manufacturing protocols are more difficult or important than those used to keep planes in the air. 

With the ongoing demand for talented people, managers in every industry need to think about where we can find the good ones who will fit our values and bring the skills we need. Turning to industries that have been hard hit by downturns is a very important strategy. If you are offering an opportunity during a period of layoffs and restricted budgets, it won’t be soon forgotten. So always keep a lookout for industries where you can pick up good people.

Kael Campbell is President and Lead Recruiter of Red Seal Recruiting Solutions, a company providing recruitment services in mining, equipment and plant maintenance, utilities, manufacturing, construction, and transportation. When he is not recruiting, Kael spends as much time as possible with family in the great outdoors and on the water. He volunteers his time as a Board Member of the Entrepreneurs Organization of Vancouver Island. We have a wide variety of services to help you find the best employees. See how we can help on our Recruiting Solutions page.