Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Ameen has criticized the previous government for issuing pilot training scholarships without considering the state of the aviation job market in the Maldives.
Speaking on a local tv programme, Minister Ameen said the country’s aviation sector is expanding at a rate of about 7 percent annually — a relatively small figure — and cannot accommodate the number of pilot graduates being produced.
He noted that the former MDP-led administration awarded scholarships to over 500 students for pilot training, in addition to around 200 others who pursued their studies privately. Despite this, the aviation industry in the Maldives only creates about 20 new job opportunities for pilots each year.
The minister stated that many students are now struggling to find employment, as the decision to provide scholarships was made without a proper understanding of the industry’s capacity. He described the situation as a significant problem, emphasizing that scholarship programmes should align with key employment sectors in the country to avoid wasting resources and potential.
Minister Ameen said local aviation operators have been forced to increase pilot recruitment to accommodate the growing number of jobseekers. However, given the limited opportunities available, the government currently has no plans to offer new pilot training scholarships.
He added that there are other sectors in greater need of skilled professionals, and encouraged students to pursue fields with more promising career prospects in the Maldivian job market.
Speaking on a local tv programme, Minister Ameen said the country’s aviation sector is expanding at a rate of about 7 percent annually — a relatively small figure — and cannot accommodate the number of pilot graduates being produced.
He noted that the former MDP-led administration awarded scholarships to over 500 students for pilot training, in addition to around 200 others who pursued their studies privately. Despite this, the aviation industry in the Maldives only creates about 20 new job opportunities for pilots each year.
The minister stated that many students are now struggling to find employment, as the decision to provide scholarships was made without a proper understanding of the industry’s capacity. He described the situation as a significant problem, emphasizing that scholarship programmes should align with key employment sectors in the country to avoid wasting resources and potential.
Minister Ameen said local aviation operators have been forced to increase pilot recruitment to accommodate the growing number of jobseekers. However, given the limited opportunities available, the government currently has no plans to offer new pilot training scholarships.
He added that there are other sectors in greater need of skilled professionals, and encouraged students to pursue fields with more promising career prospects in the Maldivian job market.
