Neelam Mathews

Even as the aviation industry grows at its fastest pace—28 percent in an average year in India—and orders for aircraft are at a high for the next five years, there is concern that growth could shrink if skill shortages are left unaddressed in the industry. Lockheed Martin India, known for its Innovation&nbsp;Growth Program launched in 2007, is playing a dominant role in encouraging girls from 15- to 18-years-of-age to consider jobs in aviation when making career choices.

 


A recent event to encourage women to contribute their skills in the field of aviation was held jointly by Lockheed Martin, Women in Aviation International (WAI) India and Airports Authority of India at the Indian Navy’s airport in Visakhapatnam, south India, with reinforcement from the state government presently tapping companies to set up aerospace parks for manufacturing and training. Around 50 girls from schools were invited to check out the airport, air traffic control tower and maintenance of aircraft as part of the “Girls in Aviation” initiative.

 


Lockheed Martin (Chalet CS01) has a woman at the helm—chairwoman, president and CEO Marillyn Hewson—and “has a diverse workforce in every sense; and our objective is to substantially raise the percentage of women employees in India,” said Phil Shaw, CEO, Lockheed Martin India.&nbsp;He said the company is proud to collaborate with those having a similar mindset and a mutual interest in developing the next generation of engineers, technologists, aviators, and scientists. “In this way, we can unlock the full national potential, underpinning the Government of India’s Skills India initiative.” Radha Bhatia, president WAI India chapter, added, “We aim to empower girls with the requisite skill sets to take up aviation as a viable career option.”

 


In the past, aviation has not been a preferred career for women in India, due to lack of awareness and mindsets. Interestingly, a recent effort to promote 51 percent of the invisible workforce—women—by the present government is now opening avenues. All the girls invited by WAI India to 10 events held last year throughout the country had one thing in common: none had been inside an airport before. “We never thought aviation had a role in every career one can think of, before this,” said Anita, a pupil, who wanted to be an architect and has now decided she would like to design airports. Renu, another student, said she dreams of becoming an electronics engineer. “I’d love to dabble with all the systems in the cockpit and maybe even design a new cockpit display," she said.

 


WAI founder member and Air India’s third woman captain now flying the 787, Nivedita Bhasin, told the girls that discipline, passion, and determination are necessary to break the glass ceiling. “The going is not always smooth, but it is totally worth it when you soar the skies.”

 


The concept of Girls in Aviation was launched last year by the Indian chapter of the U.S.-based WAI and Lockheed Martin India, when more than 100 school girls were introduced to skills in aviation starting with the most basic opportunities available—from loaders and ground handlers to careers in engineering, electronics, and serving as crewmembers, including pilots. “The response was awe-inspiring,” said Bhatia.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

Lockheed Martin Backs India’s Women in Aerospace Initiative

Program to encourage young women in India to consider a career in aviation is gathering support.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Why not teach new pilots to go around before learning how to land?

AINsight: You Can (and Should) Always Go Around

Kerry Lynch

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Most major manufacturers will be at static this year

NBAA-BACE Taking Shape with Expanded Program, Most OEMs

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

First step toward licensing could encourage youth to seek aviation careers

GAO Wants High Schoolers To Take Mechanic General Test

Charlotte Bailey

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Evolving AI-augmented simulator-based approach to ‘gamify’ learning 

Saab Shaking Up Gripen Training with Project Skynapse 

Howard Hardee

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Spirit AeroSystems workers give Leeham News and Analysis the inside track 

Cutting 'Traveled Work' Delays At Spirit Critical To 737 Output

Jessica Reed

Michel Denis was named CEO of Daher,  Steve Varsano president of Flexjet, and Robert Sumwalt was the next Wright Trophy recipient

People in Aviation —September 2026

Charles Alcock

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Austrian manufacturer has yet to say which rotorcraft types it will support 

Axis Announces Plans for Helicopter Training Systems

AIN Staff

In a Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit (CALS) roundtable on retention, an aviation staffing expert and flight department leaders traded hard-won lessons on money, culture, and knowing who you’re really competing with.

More In Training and Workforce