The global aerospace industry is facing an intensifying battle to attract young engineers as artificial intelligence companies draw skilled graduates with higher salaries, faster career growth and fewer entry barriers. Industry leaders warn that the talent shortage could slow aircraft production at a time when demand for new planes continues to climb.
Recruiters at the Farnborough International Airshow are stepping up their efforts to attract Generation Z and Generation Alpha, trying to spark more students to consider careers in aerospace. Still, industry voices say the talent pipeline is getting narrower, because more graduates lean toward AI, software and other upcoming technologies instead.
The UK aerospace and defense sector is short of roughly 10,000 specialized engineers each year. More than half of the nation’s licensed aerospace engineers are over the age of 50, and fewer than 10% are under 30, which is creating worries about the industry’s long game. ADS, the trade body, said the sector has grown by 31% in the last decade, but hiring hasn't really followed that pace.
This shortage is hitting at the same time as aircraft makers like Boeing and Airbus push through record order backlogs, while also preparing for a wave of retirements among seasoned engineers. Several companies had already scaled back apprenticeship programs as a cost-control move, then leaned on graduate intake routes that, in practice, have not generated enough trained people to cover demand.
To make things more appealing, firms put together interactive displays, hands-on engineering puzzles, and even flying demonstrations at Farnborough, in an effort to catch the attention of younger visitors, who might otherwise be unsure about aviation roles.
Experts say aerospace employers are dealing with stiff competition from AI companies, which often offer slightly better pay packages and faster career progression. Engineering graduates, even from the top universities, are starting to lean toward AI firms instead of the usual aerospace manufacturers.
Industry leaders add that things like sustainable aviation, electric aircraft and air taxis could make aerospace roles feel more attractive again. They also push for more women and school students to look at engineering much earlier, like before university even comes into the picture.
Meanwhile, the aerospace, defense, and security sectors contributed £46.8 billion to the UK economy last year, showing how important they are. Still, companies warn that if there isn’t a stronger stream of young engineers, sustaining future growth and innovation might get harder over time.