Robust response to Asia-Pacific's aviation skills shortage emerging from inaugural training symposium

Over 400 stakeholders gather at inaugural training symposium to develop solutions for world's fastest-growing aviation market.

SINGAPORE and MONTRÉAL, 23 JULY 2025 – Critical aviation skills shortages across the Asia-Pacific region are threatening the sustainable growth of the world's fastest-growing aviation market, prompting the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) to launch a coordinated regional response through the inaugural ICAO Asia-Pacific Regional Training Symposium. 

The two-day symposium was officially opened on 16 July 2025 in Singapore by Ms. Sun Xueling, Singapore's Senior Minister of State for Transport and National Development, and Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar, ICAO Secretary General. 

"Singapore's partnership with ICAO to deliver this symposium has enabled us to bring together the Asia-Pacific aviation community to address shared training challenges and opportunities," said Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar, ICAO Secretary General. " Through strengthened regional cooperation and innovative capacity-building initiatives like our Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Scholarship Programme, we are building the skilled workforce that aviation needs for its sustainable future. The commitment demonstrated by all stakeholders here today gives me great confidence in our success."

"Singapore believes strongly in investing in the next generation of aviation professionals and nurturing young talent," said Mr. Han Kok Juan, Director-General of CAAS. "We are honoured to work with the International Civil Aviation Organization to host the first-ever regional training symposium. We are involving young people from around the region in this High-Level Aviation Week with government and industry leaders and hope that they will be inspired to contribute to aviation in their respective countries."

The Symposium is a key initiative under the ICAO Asia-Pacific Regional Training Cooperation Framework (RTCF), established in 2024 to enhance cooperation among civil aviation authorities, civil aviation training academies and industry in the Asia-Pacific region. Themed “Enhancing Training Cooperation: Building Human Capital for the Sustainable Development of Civil Aviation,” the symposium serves as a strategic platform for stakeholders to come together, foster partnerships and explore innovative approaches to aviation training, filling a longstanding gap in regional stakeholder collaboration. 

Over the two days, industry experts and stakeholders comprising aviation leaders, academics, training experts, human resource practitioners, industry partners and youths gathered to align training programmes with emerging industry needs, strengthen policies to better support the aviation workforce, and implement targeted solutions to bridge the regional skills gap. The symposium also featured cutting-edge advancements in aviation training, including the adoption of artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, and advanced simulation technologies to enhance operational training and training effectiveness.

Developing the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals

Asia-Pacific Training Awards
To support the development of the next generation of aviation professionals, Singapore renewed the Singapore-ICAO Developing Countries Training Programme (DCTP). First established in 2001, the Singapore-ICAO DCTP has been continually expanded and renewed over the years to provide training fellowships and scholarships for courses at the Singapore Aviation Academy (SAA). In addition, CAAS launched a new capacity-building programme, the Asia-Pacific Training Awards, where Singapore will provide 120 training awards for government officials from Civil Aviation Authorities of Asia-Pacific States to attend training courses at SAA over the next three years.

Singapore-ICAO Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Scholarship Programme
Ten young and promising aviation professionals from around the world also received their scholarship certificates for the Singapore-ICAO Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) Scholarship Programme. The 10 young aviation professionals – nominated by their respective countries and selected by an evaluation panel – are the first batch of scholars appointed under this programme and will participate in a one-week NGAP Aviation Foundation Programme conducted by the SAA covering topics such as aviation technology and innovation, human capital development, aviation safety, sustainability, and international collaboration. This will be followed by a two-week training attachment with CAAS. These scholars will return to Singapore the following year to complete the remaining components of the programme.

Launched in 2024, the Singapore-ICAO NGAP Scholarship Programme was established for young aviation professionals of age 35 or below to provide them a broad perspective on key aviation topics. Between 2025 and 2027, a new cohort of scholars will be selected annually for a six-week programme in Singapore, consisting of training at SAA attachments, to be completed within three years. Each scholar will also be personally mentored by a Senior Fellow from SAA.

Asia-Pacific Youth for Aviation Programme
In support of ICAO’s NGAP initiative and to inspire youths to pursue careers in aviation, Singapore also hosted the first-ever Asia-Pacific Youth for Aviation Programme alongside the Symposium. From 14 to 18 July 2025, 37 youths aged 19 to 28 from 19 States across the Asia-Pacific region participated in immersive learning journeys, engaged with aviation professionals, and took part in a youth dialogue session with ICAO Secretary General Salazar and CAAS Director General Juan. The youths were selected by their respective countries’ civil aviation authorities based on their demonstrated interest in aviation. The programme will help the youth gain a wider awareness about the challenges and opportunities that the region’s aviation sector diverse career pathways and future opportunities have.
 

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The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and its 193 member states develop and implement global aviation strategies, technical standards, and capacity building activities to enhance the safety, sustainability, and inclusivity of air services worldwide. ICAO's mission is to expand access to air transport while progressing towards zero aviation fatalities and net-zero carbon emissions. This year, the Organization is celebrating its 80th anniversary.

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