Aviation Careers in Ghana - What's In It For Me?

If you're here, chances are that you're probably interested in starting a career in aviation, or you have tried countless times to search for the right aviation course, or you're a fan of  CharlieBay101 or  you're fascinated by the world of aviation or you're just plain curious.

 I often come across people who articulated their grievances by asking for answers to questions like 'what does it take to work at the airport', or 'which is the easiest aviation course' or 'which career path in aviation is more likely to fetch the most money'.(Yes.You'd be amazed at the questions).
Aviation on the global scene has seen tremendous growth. It is quite a fascinating and eye-catching industry. Unfortunately,(to a certain extent) the same cannot be said for Ghana. Sadly most airport jobs here are contingent on the 'who you know' factor .All hope is not lost though, although the current position reduces the aviation career options anyone may have. However there's no need to grin over that fact, I come bearing  good news. Here's my view on the number of options available, job duties and occupational outlook, and some, if not all of what is required to thrive in this changing industry.

If I were to come up with a common ground for these disparate career options, it is this: Aviation is a way of life, and every branch is entrenched in the power of integrity & commitment. Aviation is an awfully narrow field, so one has to be certain that is what he or she wants , and then commit. Jobs in aviation are quite demanding. They require 101% dedication, hard-work and financial investment as well. That being said, it will be a complete waste of time and effort if you're just searching for a temporary hobby, or just any job to while away time.There are several factors that come to play when choosing a career in aviation. Especially if you come from Ghana, you have to be particular about career prospects (as it is with other countries). I believe nobody would enjoy  spending hard cash on a course which will lead them to a dead end. Even the richest of all rich people wouldn't.

Before deciding on which of the following career paths you want to pursue,take some time to explore questions like I'm I genuinely interested? Do my strength and weaknesses compliment this career choice? Does this choice suit me? How long do I intend working in this field? Will there be opportunities for advancement? What do I do after the course? Where can I work? What other Career options are available? Is my choice a viable option? All this explains why I cannot stress enough on the fact that you have to be passionate and certain. Take note that there are a myriad of them, but the list sheds more light on the most practicable in Ghana's burgeoning aviation industry.In no particular order, careers include;

Flight Dispatch 

Dispatchers are Popularly described as pilot hands on the ground. In as much as their roles are as critical as that of the pilot, there are a few distinctions. Dispatchers are jointly responsible for the flight operations with the pilot in command.To top it off, 7 out of 10  dispatchers I've met, disclosed that they are actually aspiring pilots who resorted to flight dispatch because it is the closest option to piloting, among other reasons which include financial restraints. I confirmed this finding after a sight visit to the Flight Operations Office of one of Ghana's leading regional airlines.Flight Dispatchers generally ensure that  aircraft are made ready for departure as quickly and safely as possible. They make sure that all the different  operations and services linked to the  preparation of an aircraft for flight come  together at the right time and in the right  order so that the plane can take off at its  allotted time. Flight dispatchers will oversee activities  including cleaning, refuelling and baggage  and cargo loading. One needs to be flexible because working as a Flight Dispatcher would require that you work in shifts (as with all airport jobs). That being said, you should be expected to work early mornings, late nights,on weekends, and holidays as well.(Yes. Holidays too). You need to be organised.You need to be able to work under pressure. You need to be able to manage more than one activity at a time. These are just a few of the core competences. Take note of the way I used the word need!


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Cabin Crew  

This is probably the most sought after career choice among ladies my age but sadly, searching for a job as Cabin Crew in Ghana can prove to be an endless and daunting task More often than not, people misconstrue the duties of flight attendants and box them with  a definition based on glamour.Its a glamorous and classy profession and that there's nothing more to it. I must confess. Even I had that perception, growing up.
 During my days at the airport, I overhead a gentleman make unsavoury remarks about cabin crew and he clearly was not in the position to do so. ' They're just paid to look pretty', he said, responding to another gentleman about his age.(I believe was his friend). The long and short of the matter is that Attending on Flights entails a lot.Although A career as a flight attendant offers a wide range of  possibilities and the chance to travel the world and meet new people(Which is all people know), flight attendants  are also responsible for safety . This safety is paramount in aviation and encompasses  evacuation procedures  and protocols,emergency response and first aid, among others .Besides the numerous physical limitations, fluency in English language is key.To become a successful flight attendant, you need to be able to respond quickly under pressure, understand the importance of teamwork, you need to have a tolerable attitude, among others. Now that you have the details, take this from me. It is very important.Do not pay for unnecessary training. Several institutions have sprang up and are blowing horns with no substance in them. I know of people, I have friends for that matter, who have attended schools that claimed they train cabin crew but in the end it leaves you nowhere. Unless an airline scouts or picks you to be trained as a flight attendant, do not invest your time and money.Do not invest your time and money unless employment as cabin crew (which is quite rare) after training is guarantee. If you are not ready to enrol in a recognized cabin crew training facility abroad, or directly with an airline within the confines of the country, I have a better option for you.I  want the best for my followers and would advice you to start from the ground.Start small. It works. It did for me.Gather the most experience you can get from the ground by pursuing other options either at, or outside the airport, pertaining to the aviation industry. (See below for options)After all, the experience might give you a competitive edge over other applicants when an opportunity provides itself for actual cabin crew training.(As I've said, either directly with an airline or abroad)if this wouldn't change your perspective, I don't know what would.

Ticketing Agent

 Unfortunately It is with regret that I have to admit, that a career in ticketing is currently the most viable option and safest for that matter,if we should consider the amount of monetary investment it demands. Pursuing a career as a Ticketing Sales Consultant can be a bit rewarding if you look at the bigger picture. Plus all the available systems or requirements aren't hefty or complicated in any way. Ticketing Agents or Consultants are responsible for planning routes through a centralised database system available and pick out the best bargain for seat allocation and preferences,vehicle rentals, hotel bookings, travel insurance, visa advisory services, and might also include all the other paper work involved in planning a trip abroad. The ticketing pathway almost guarantees 80% employment after training and leads you either issuing tickets directly with an airline, or with a Travel Agency. All it takes is to be trained in either of the world recognized Global Distribution Systems and you're good to go. These network operated Systems include Amadeus (Which I have taken), Galileo and Sabre.Even though training in Ticketing offers an impressively high margin of employment after training, or higher employment prospects,  passion for the job and good people skills will always come in handy. As with every other job, one needs to have the right attitude and level of commitment and discipline to thrive in that career.

Profiler

 Profiling has got to do with Security. Profiling is a big deal. My days as a Profiler took  me through series of both excitement and surprise.There wasn't much to predict. Everyday was different.New challenges. New people. New experiences. Profiling is hardly ever talked about because it isn't widely known and the few who have had encounters with profilers have funny and sometimes frustrating tales to tell. Profilers work on behalf of Security Agencies subcontracted by Airlines or Ground Handling Agencies to handle Security at the airport.Allow me to take you back into time to elaborate on how Profiling at airports became a thing.Long story short, Profiling was birthed as a result of the perils  surrounding the events of 9/11.One of the most popular functions (possibly the only one people are familiar with)of profilers is documents check.Before boarding any flight, Profilers  check on all passenger travel documents to ascertain their authenticity. The main goal is to save airlines hefty fines in case illegal travellers travel with forged documents get repatriated. Profilers.Profilers are highly trained in passenger behavioural analysis and document checks, thereby placing passengers under scrutiny, when they fall within certain categories. Profiling also entails other Airport  Security functions such as  Aircraft Guarding and Access Control, Boarding Gate Security, Ramp Observation, Baggage Make-Up Handling and Security, an din some cases, Catering Security.The question about whether or not Profiling is discriminatory or effective can be tackled another time. To be a profiler, you must be Intuitive and Pay close attention to detail. Currently, no institution offers training in Profiling, or Airport Security for that matter. Training is done solely by Security Agencies that can be found at the airport. Notable of them include Aviation Profile and Security Services, Glory Heights Profile Consult,Pathfinders International Aviation Services, etc.. Mostly Prior knowledge isn't required to become at Profiler at the airport in Ghana. At the very least, solid high school grades might be just good enough.



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Passenger Handler 

 This should be pretty simple.Passenger Handlers or Passenger Service Agents take care of passenger needs at the airport before they embark on their trip.It's as simple as that.However it entails a great detail especially because you're dealing with humans and not easy,predictive,unchangeable products.Passenger Handlers operate within the Passenger Terminals or Land side of the airport.Some of the job duties include  Check-in In of passengers,handling baggage issues, giving Boarding instructions,Customer services, porter services, wheelchair services,and the list goes on.There's no post-secondary education requirement for this career, but having a background in Customer Service and excellent soft skills can be a key to employment. Ground Handling Agencies here like Aviance and AHS Menzies do the hiring and training.

Ramp  Handler /Service Personnel 

 Unlike Passenger Handlers, ramp handlers operate within the air-side of the airport which is often not visible to the passengers till they board the aircraft. Ramp service personnel also deal with equipment and hardly passengers. The industry is labour intensive and needs people working in many different areas.You can call them the 'background people'. Don't get me wrong, their work is equally important as any other airport job. Ramp Handlers do a lot of technical work so you might want to quickly scribble that on top of your list if you have an eye for technical stuff. Over here, you can find the Engineers, Tractor operators, Marshallers or Batsmen,Co-bus Drivers,Maintenance Technicians, to mention but a few.The duties also include Aircraft ground handling, cabin appearance, unloading and loading of cargo, aircraft towing, etc. Most.Most.Most jobs on the ramp require a valid drivers license, physical and background checks and at least a high school certificate.Ground Handling Agencies here like Aviance and AHS Menzies do the hiring and training.

ATC

ATC stands for Air Traffic Control/Controller. Air Traffic Controllers manage the flow of aircraft into and out of a county's airspace, monitor flights mid-air as well as while on the ground. They communicate to pilots before take-off, during flight and on landing. They mainly give instructions and advice pilots on the right course of action since they have a better view and a large pool of resource.They keep pilots updated on changing whether patterns as the aircraft moves into different altitudes, and help keep a considerable amount of space between moving and static aircraft. Their duties are quite lengthy and very very crucial to the safety of people, the airline and the entire industry at large. Air Traffic Controllers operate from a Control Tower, which is usually the tallest building within the vicinity of an airport. ATC must generally be very keen, must have very good memory and a very good understanding of communication. ATC is no joke. It is one hell of a deal. ATC Training is quite intensive and can be done at the recognized Ghana Civil Aviation Training Academy. An ATC career in  Ghana can be promising and rewarding as well.



- Irene Geraldo
(Founder, CharlieBay101)
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