In one of the first signs of renewed confidence in the aviation industry after two years of the pandemic, Airbus has announced plans to hire 6,000 new staff in the first part of 2022.
The European aircraft manufacturing giant made deep cuts to its workforce during the Covid-19 pandemic, cutting more than 9,000 jobs globally including 1,700 in the UK.
Airbus is looking to add roles worldwide and across its aerospace, helicopter and defense and space units, according to a statement this week. The 6,000 posts are seen as probably only an initial part of a new global recruitment strategy with the company reassessing its needs following the initial wave.
Thierry Baril, Airbus chief human resources and workplace officer, said on Wednesday: “Airbus has demonstrated resilience throughout the Covid crisis, and has laid the foundations for a bold future for sustainable aviation.
“This can only be achieved by acquiring the right talents in the various domains of expertise that will help us grow our activities as we come out of the crisis, while preparing the long-term transformation of the company.”
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He pledged to reinforce the company’s “inclusive” culture and to further buttress its efforts to improve diversity, while orienting recruitment around climate crisis projects.
In May 2020, Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury told executives at the business that it was facing a fight for its survival.
The company employs about 12,500 people in the UK and 130,000 globally. Its largest plants in the UK are in Filton, Bristol, and Broughton, near Chester.
With the climate crisis another threat to the aviation industry’s future, Airbus is focusing activity on new technologies. This will include introducing a hydrogen-powered aircraft by 2035. About a quarter of the new jobs will be focused on long-term projects such as decarbonisation, digital transformation and cyber technology, with a third of the total being allocated to young graduates.
Baril added: “Following this initial wave of recruitment, which will take place worldwide and across all our businesses, the number of external hires will be reassessed before mid-year 2022 and we will adjust our needs accordingly.
“Not only will we look at acquiring the new skills that Airbus needs in the post-Covid world, but we will also do our utmost to reinforce diversity across the company, fostering a safe and inclusive culture reinforcing Team Airbus to be ready to pioneer sustainable aerospace.”
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