Aerospace Industry Needs More Female Talent
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Aerospace Industry Needs More Female Talent

Photo by:   ThisisEngineering RAEng, Unsplash
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Sofía Hanna By Sofía Hanna | Journalist and Industry Analyst - Thu, 03/09/2023 - 09:25

Airbus reports that it aims for 33% of its workforce to be made up of women by 2030. Airbus Mexico is off to a good start, as about 50% of its workforce is female. 

In 2021, the UN Office for Outer Space (UNOOSA) warned that women account for just 20% of aerospace workers worldwide, which "holds us all back as a civilization." Despite efforts to promote female leadership in the aerospace sector, few women are in strategic positions. Within the industry, women encounter the famous glass ceiling that blocks them from continuing to climb the corporate ladder. This gap also affects the aviation industry. In 2022, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that only 9% of its member airlines have female CEOs, only 5% of pilots are women and women represent about 26% of air traffic controllers and less than 9% of aerospace engineers. 

It has been emphasized over the years that interest in STEM careers should be increased to meet the high demand for these specific skills. Better educational infrastructure in the sector should be sought to take advantage of the current demographic bonus. However, women often face greater barriers to access education and technology. For example, in Latin America, 40% of women cannot connect to the Internet, according to UN Women.

As part of International Women's Day, Airbus recognizes all those women who every day put their efforts and skills to the test in the aerospace industry. In Mexico, the company celebrated the outstanding professionals who play a key role in Airbus operations worldwide, including Leticia Torres, Smart Offer Architect, and Rosa Angelica Cardenas, the Research and Technology (R&T) Coordinator for Aerostructures Procurement. 

"For me, aeronautics is a way to prove to ourselves that we are capable, despite the comments, despite the prejudices; when we strive to achieve our goals, the result will speak for itself,” says Torres. In addition, she invites all women who want to enter the aerospace sector to simply trust their abilities, stressing that she is proud that more women are joining the aerospace industry.

Photo by:   ThisisEngineering RAEng, Unsplash

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