2014 FORECAST Hiring in Aviation
JSfirm.com, an online aviation-only job board, has released its 5th Annual Hiring Trends Survey. Jeff Richards, JSfirm.com manager says, “This annual survey has proven to be accurate in past years at forecasting the hiring trends and is highly anticipated by the aviation industry.”
In summary:
• 400 aviation companies across various sectors were surveyed
• 91% will hire in 2014 (up from 85% in 2013)
• Skilled maintenance technicians will be in highest demand
• April, May, and June will likely see the most hiring
• 78% are projecting growth in 2014 (up from 67% in 2013)
• 69% experienced an attrition rate of 10% or less
• The #1 employee retention tool is “Recognition and Appreciation”
Results: Aviation Industry 2014 Hiring Trends and Expectations
Q1 - Approximately how many people does your company employ?
Answers Responses Percent
1 - 10 56 13.97%
11 - 30 105 26.18%
31 - 50 48 11.97%
51 - 100 57 14.21%
101 - 200 51 12.72%
201 - 500 35 8.73%
501+ 49 12.22%
Q2 - Were any jobs cut from your company last year (2013)?
Answers Responses Percent
None 273 68.25%
1 - 5 82 20.50%
6 - 10 21 5.25%
11 - 20 9 2.25%
21 - 50 7 1.75%
51 - 100 5 1.25%
101 - 200 2 0.50%
201 + 1 0.25%
Q3 -How many people did your company hire last year (2013)?
Answers Responses Percent
None 26 6.48%
1 - 5 166 41.40%
6 - 10 50 12.47%
11 - 20 42 10.47%
21 - 50 43 10.72%
51 - 100 24 5.99%
101 - 200 21 5.24%
201 + 29 7.23%
Q4 -
What retention tools does your company use to minimize turnover?
Answers Responses Percent
We pay higher wages 130 11.22%
Our benefits are better than average 172 14.84%
Flex Schedules 131 11.30%
Additional time off 53 4.57%
The ability of the employee to speak
their minds 161 13.89%
Recognition and appreciation 203 17.52%
Talent and skill utilization 182 15.70%
Educational reimbursement 85 7.33%
Other 42 3.62%
Q5 - In 2014, my company is projecting:
Answers Responses Percent
Significant growth 60 15.00%
Moderate growth 255 63.75%
No Growth 48 12.00%
Moderate decline 4 1.00%
Significant decline 4 1.00%
Not sure 29 7.25%
Q6 - How many people will your company be hiring this year (2014)?
Answers Responses Percent
1 - 5 166 41.81%
6 - 10 55 13.85%
11 - 20 39 9.82%
21 - 50 42 10.58%
51 - 100 18 4.53%
101 - 200 19 4.79%
201+ 23 5.79%
Likely not hiring 35 8.82%
Q7 - When do you expect your company to hire? (Select all that apply)
Answers Responses Percent
1st Quarter 2014 (Jan - March) 208 26.84%
2nd Quarter 2014 (April - June) 237 30.58%
3rd Quarter 2014 (July - Sept) 171 22.06%
4th Quarter 2014 (Oct - Dec) 109 14.06%
N/A 50 6.45%
Q8 -
What type of people will your company be
hiring this year?
Answers Responses Percent
Avionics 148 10.77%
Maintenance 259 18.85%
Sheet metal/Structures/Composites/Fabricators 91 6.62%
Interiors/Cabinetry/Upholstery 48 3.49%
Paint 41 2.98%
Quality Assurance 92 6.70%
Engineering 73 5.31%
Pilots 150 10.92%
Flight Attendants 12 0.87%
Dispatch 48 3.49%
Line Service 56 4.08%
Sales/Marketing/Business Development 73 5.31%
Social Media Manager 10 0.73%
Customer Service 69 5.02%
Administration including
Human Resources/Recruiting 75 5.46%
Management 76 5.53%
N/A 24 1.75%
Other 29 2.11%
Q9 - What type of aircraft does your company primarily support?
Answers Responses Percent
Helicopter 166 24.23%
General aviation: single and light twin
engine aircraft 161 23.50%
Corporate aircraft: Lear, Citation, Hawker,
Gulfstream, etc. 152 22.19%
Commercial/Transport Category: wide body
aircraft, transport, etc. 102 14.89%
Military: F-16, C130, V-22, etc. 53 7.74%
Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS / UAV) 13 1.90%
N/A 14 2.04%
Other 24 3.50%
Q10 - Which best describes the service your company provides?
Answers Responses Percent
Airport/FBO 83 14.74%
Maintenance Repair and Overhaul 126 22.38%
OEM 26 4.62%
Aircraft Operator 127 22.56%
Association 2 0.36%
Support Service such as insurance,
software, data, etc 12 2.13%
School or Training Center 45 7.99%
Staffing/Recruiting 30 5.33%
Sales/Distribution/Lease 36 6.39%
Other 76 13.50%
Q11 - What is the biggest challenge you have finding qualified aviation talent?
Answers Responses Percent
No problem 60 9.27%
Our location 115 17.77%
Finding effective resources 43 6.65%
Lack of experience 184 28.44%
Candidate pay expectations are too high 124 19.17%
Our company pay is below standard 28 4.33%
Lack of feedback from hiring managers 13 2.01%
No time to actually recruit 37 5.72%
Other 43 6.65 %
Q12 - What resources do you use to find aviation specific talent?
Answers Responses Percent
Non aviation websites
(monster, careerbuilder, indeed, etc.) 161 11.58%
Aviation specific websites
(jsfirm, pilotjobs, avianation, etc.) 314 22.59%
Professional Networking websites
(linkedin) 128 9.21%
Social Media websites
(facebook, twitter, etc.) 77 5.54%
Aviation contract labor companies 66 4.75%
Aviation direct hire recruiting companies 58 4.17%
Aviation job fairs 64 4.60%
Local newspapers 71 5.11%
Industry magazines 31 2.23%
Aviation schools 109 7.84%
Paid referrals from internal employees 59 4.24%
Word of mouth 220 15.83%
Other 32 2.30%
Q13 - What is your attrition rate? (percentage of turnover for direct hire personnel only)
Answers Responses Percent
N/A we are a staffing agency 24 6.17%
Less than 5% 187 48.07%
6- 10% 81 20.82%
11 - 15% 31 7.97%
16 - 20% 26 6.68%
21 - 25% 14 3.60%
26 - 30% 5 1.29%
31 - 35% 6 1.54%
36 - 40% 7 1.80%
Greater than 40% 8 2.06%
About JSfirm.com
JSfirm.com is the fastest growing aviation job distribution network with resume database access. Founded in 1999, it has been providing service to the aviation industry for more than 10 years. JSfirm.com is a free service to job seekers. The company’s comprehensive website includes access to job postings, direct email of new employment opportunities, free resume builder and networking tools. Companies receive direct access to resumes, management tools, and unlimited job postings with multiple user capabilities and a dedicated account manager to help plan a company’s candidate search program. For more information, visit: www.jsfirm.comor call one of its two locations at 724-547-6203 or 817-560-0300.