SAAF budgets R20M for recruiting pilots, engineers

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Ou grote

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http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3594&Itemid=350

The South African Air Force (SAAF) will this year spend R20 million to recruit pilots, navigators, air traffic controllers and engineers to make up serious shortfalls in current staffing levels.

This has emerged from the answer to a question by Democratic Alliance shadow defence minister David Maynier regarding staffing levels in the flying service.

Maynier in a statement charges that while the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Lindiwe Sisulu is “personally really satisfied with the state of readiness” of the defence force, a “drastic shortage of pilots in the defence force has effectively wiped out the state of combat readiness of the SAAF”.

Maynier says the reply to his question shows that 48% of posts for combat pilots are vacant (29 of 60 posts). It takes seventeen months to train up a combat pilot.

In addition, 58 of 167 helicopter pilot posts (34%) are currently vacant. He adds that it takes sixteen months to train a helicopter pilot.

Furthermore, 30% of posts for transport pilots are vacant (48 of 156 posts) “and it takes twelve months to train transport pilots.”

The DA MP says this “is why the Air Force is effectively grounded, with planes spending more time in hangers than in the air.”

The answer, published late yesterday, adds combat pilot posts remain vacant, on average, for one year, five months, while transport and helicopter pilot posts are vacant for a year.

The SAAF is also short of navigators. The Helicopter line has been short one navigator (two posts, 50%) for a year while the transport line has only 16 navigators but requires 34 (47%) and the combat fraternity has two but needs six, translating into a staffing level of 33%.

Especially acute is the shortage of air traffic controllers, where only 29 of 77 posts (37%) are filled. The average vacancy period for this vital but scarce skill is three years. The SAAF further has a shortage of engineers with only 70 of 130 posts (54%) filled. The Parliamentary answer avers there “has always been a shortage of graduated [sic] Engineers.”

Maynier called on Sisulu “to urgently implement a plan to recruit and retain pilots that works” and that includes an occupational specific dispensation (OSD) for pilots.

The answer noted however that “all vacancies are planned to be filled by means of specific recruitment drives” as well as the use of the SAAF Reserve and that “unique allowances such as the Military Aviation Career Incentive Pay (MACIP) and the Technical Incentive Payment (TCIP) were introduced some time back to retain members with specific skills.

“It is planned to transfer the remuneration system of members to an OSD,” the defence ministry added in the answer.

“The improvement of working conditions also forms part of the current action plan of the SAAF.

“The SAAF develops an annual HR Support Plan, which includes the number of recruitment targets for that specific financial year, which also supports the Strategic Business Plan of the SAAF. The HR plan for the FY 2009/10 for recruitment is 747 Military Skills Development System members and 40 skilled members.”
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I want to fly a Gripon. :)
 
“It is planned to transfer the remuneration system of members to an OSD,” the defence ministry added in the answer
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:rolleyes:
And we all know what happened with the OSD for doctors and medical staff
:rolleyes:

The South African Air Force (SAAF) will this year spend R20 million to recruit pilots, navigators, air traffic controllers and engineers to make up serious shortfalls in current staffing levels.
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What a waste of money. Seriously. Who wants to work for the defense force?
I mean for god's sake what's the point of employing engineering graduates if they are going to spend most of their time mowing the OC's lawn ?
 
Especially acute is the shortage of air traffic controllers, where only 29 of 77 posts (37%) are filled. The average vacancy period for this vital but scarce skill is three years.
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This one is probably the biggest of the problems, there's a shortage in the civilian world as well.
One of the toughest jobs out there.
 
In similar news, certain government ministers throw fits of rage and threaten revolution while demanding that companies be fined for not employing more previously disadvantaged people even though skilled previously disadvantaged people are nearly impossible to find.

http://www.fin24.com/articles/default/display_article.aspx?ArticleId=1518-1786_2549984

Somehow I am not surprised all that much.
:rolleyes:
I mean ... those who think that just about all focus should be on education are obviously stupid and should be completely ignored.
:rolleyes:
 
davemc said:
In similar news, certain government ministers throw fits of rage and threaten revolution while demanding that companies be fined for not employing more previously disadvantaged people even though skilled previously disadvantaged people are nearly impossible to find.

http://www.fin24.com/articles/default/display_article.aspx?ArticleId=1518-1786_2549984

Somehow I am not surprised all that much.
:rolleyes:
I mean ... those who think that just about all focus should be on education are obviously stupid and should be completely ignored.
:rolleyes:
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As someone once said : "It's illegal to be white and successfull."
 
The first job I ever wanted to do was that of ATC (Air Traffic Controller).

The only thing holding me back from a top learnership overseas was the lack of an EU passport.

Try applying for an ATC learnership locally if you're White - N. A. F. C.

I would still like to give ATC a shot, but it's never going to happen here.

Likewise for the military, navy, airforce, etc. White? They're not interested.
 
Oddly enough, in the last magazine for the Solidarity trade union were 4 pages of recruitment forms for the SANDF... I wonder how many responses did they get?
 
hrm i wonder what kind of engineers they looking for, what you do and how u apply
 
alf101 said:
This one is probably the biggest of the problems, there's a shortage in the civilian world as well.
One of the toughest jobs out there.
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What do these guys get paid? They shoulder a lot of responsibility and it must be stressfull so I'm just wondering.
 
ponder said:
What do these guys get paid? They shoulder a lot of responsibility and it must be stressfull so I'm just wondering.
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I know one from Cape Town International.
He gives radio license courses and trains ATC's part time as well for extra money.

So can't be getting paid a fortune.
Does seem to enjoy his job though, been doing it for 30 years or something.
 
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