'Recruitment plays a critical role in ensuring you have the right people, with the right skills at the right time.’ The Airways Corporation, a Christchurch-based, State Owned Enterprise, has a strong commitment to diversity when recruiting.
Air traffic control has traditionally been a male-dominated occupation but in recent years, through targeted advertising and training intakes, 30 per cent of controllers are female. Ensuring diversity in this field is a challenge because of the perceptions of air traffic control – in particular it being a stressful and aggressive working environment.
Advertising that portrays air traffic control as a fun and stimulating career has helped attract more female applicants. The focus has been on the need for clear communication skills, good numeracy and spatial skills, and the ability to stay calm under stress.
Controller roles are often inaccessible to people with disabilities because of international civil aviation standards requiring controllers to have regular familiarisation flights in the cockpit of commercial aircraft and stringent medical requirements. The Airways Corporation is consulting with Workbridge on how to actively encourage people with disabilities into areas of the aviation industry where they can be accommodated.
FACT: Good recruitment practice should implement an impartial, transparent employment process with no barriers or biases to employing the best person for the job. Positive initiatives are required to attract people with disabilities into the workplace.
Benefits of good recruitment:
- Publicly demonstrates the “face” of a workplace to prospective employees, current employees, clients and other businesses in the industry.
- Attracts the right type of people and equal employment opportunities remove barriers of entry and access for disadvantaged groups.
- Minimises legal risks in employment and discrimination law.
For further information contact:
Deborah Negus
Airways Corporation
Christchurch
Phone: +64 4 471 1888
Email: deborah.negus@airways.co.nz