No pilot training loans as job market saturated: Minister Ameen

Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen has said that the government will no longer offer student loans for pilot training due to limited job opportunities for cadet pilots in Maldives.

Speaking on the "Ahahchay Bunaanan" programme on Dhivehiraajjeyge Adu, the minister responded to questions about unemployment among pilot graduates and whether the government would provide further support to those seeking training in aviation.

He said there are currently no job openings for cadet pilots in the country, and foreign airlines do not typically recruit Maldivian cadets. Instead, they prefer experienced pilots. Moreover, he said that no local airline is operating with cadet pilots, limiting opportunities further.

“The aviation sector in Maldives is only growing by around seven percent annually,” Ameen said.

“Over the past six years, we’ve trained about 20 to 22 cadet pilots per year, primarily from Maldivian and TMA.”

He raised concerns about the discrepancy between training and employment in the field, stating that the government has a duty to inform students and parents about the realities of the job market.

Under the previous administration, around 500 students received loans to study piloting, with another 200 pursuing training independently. Many were high-achieving students unaware of the limited employment prospects.

“Given the circumstances, we don’t believe the country currently requires additional cadet pilot training,” he said.

“We won’t be offering student loans for pilot programmes for now. Instead, we’ll prioritize fields that are critical for national development.”

The Minister also stated that airline operators have already employed more pilots than their current operational demand requires, in an attempt to address the issue of pilot graduates without employment.

While the government won’t force students to change their scholarship paths, Minister Ameen said opportunities were created last year for those who wished to switch to other fields. Several students did so after consultations with their families and financial arrangements were made.

Some pilot graduates, unable to secure aviation jobs, are now working in resorts and other sectors.