Anyone that has travelled by air over the last few months will know that airlines and other aviation businesses are struggling with a severe shortage in talent. Pilots, baggage handlers, airport staff and other personnel are all in demand, and the lack of resource is taking its toll.
Flight cancellations, delays, long wait times for baggage and airport queues are just some of the inconveniences that passengers are facing.
When I flew recently the airline offered me a cash incentive to move to another flight and in another instance, a colleague was offered 10,000 free miles to compensate for her experience. While this isn’t a problem that is exclusive to aviation, it is this industry that is dominating the headlines as we enjoy the summer season.
Fuelled in part by the lay-offs that were made during the pandemic, the issue is becoming increasingly difficult as aviation fails to attract talent back and it’s been reported that foreign pilots are rushing to fill the empty cockpits. U.S. immigration lawyers have also reported a surge in inquiries and visa applications from pilots based in countries where traffic is still recovering from pandemic lows.
So, with foreign pilots and other aviation personnel actively looking for work, language barriers must be addressed in order to improve efficient, two-way communication, and technology plays a crucial role in that.
Greater adoption of digital technology could open up a wider talent pool however, implementing certain tools can be costly and take time – which aviation doesn’t have as summer travel gets underway.
When looking at how to improve language support it’s important to consider all the options available and what could be the most effective for your business. For foreign workers with English as an additional language (EAL) they will face challenges dealing directly with customers, colleagues and the general public. This can lead to feelings of isolation and perhaps discourage them from considering a move overseas. Aviation needs to change that if they are to attract this available talent and close the gap in resource.
There are various technology-based translation solutions available that help to overcome language barriers, each with their own pros and cons.
- Free translation tools: offers instant translation but there are issues with the effectiveness of the translations in some cases and GDPR compliant concerns. These tools can often lack minority languages and it’s often those who speak those languages that are most impacted by the communication disconnect. They also rely on the user having access to a smart device, which isn’t always possible due to either resource or security restrictions.
- LanguageLine: an American company headquartered in California. This service offers phone translations, however, waiting for a translator to assist in certain situations can take time and come with a hefty cost, neither of which may be practical for many businesses as they build back from the past two years.
- Digital translation devices: Hardware devices such as Pocketalk can translate 82 languages both in audio and text making it clear for the users what is being asked or said. These stand-alone devices harness software that allows for greater accuracy and covers more regional differences too. Pockeralk is also HIPPA and GDPR compliant alleviating any data privacy issues. These devices improve communication, reduce delays in translations and reduce the need for human interpreter costs. Anyone can use these devices, which fosters better inter-team conversations and customer relationships.
Of course, working to ensure foreign workers that have EAL feel part of a team can be a challenge but the ability to chat with colleagues directly is a great facilitator of better rapport. It might also be worth considering investing in English lessons for foreign colleagues. This will show them that as a company you are invested in them by supporting their professional progress while also helping them integrate into a new country.
There is no ‘one size fits all’ solution to language translation in the aviation industry but it is something that must be considered for businesses to bounceback. It will be hugely encouraging for overseas workers to understand that businesses are looking for solutions which make the offer of work overseas inclusive., and exciting.
Joe Miller is the general manager of the Americas and Europe, Pocketalk. During his career, Joe has played a critical role in helping businesses develop during a time of amazing growth and innovation. Pocketalk is a multi-sensory two-way translation device. It utilises the best translation engines around the world to provide a consistently accurate experience across 82 languages, including localised dialects and slang.
