RAF Chief Engineer Demands Overhaul to Fix Aerospace Talent Crisis
With global aerospace facing a severe engineer shortage, the RAF’s chief engineer urges alignment between defense and civil aviation training to sustain the UK’s technical edge
A severe shortage of skilled aerospace engineers is threatening to constrain both military readiness and the UK’s wider aviation industry.
Air Vice-Marshal Shaun Harris, Director Support and Chief Engineer of the Royal Air Force (RAF), has called for a structural overhaul in how engineering talent is trained, certified, and retained across defense and civil sectors.
His message is clear: collaboration between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is essential to safeguard national capability and secure the next generation of aerospace engineers.
“We’re fishing in a particular pool of individuals interested in aviation engineering, but the supply has not kept up,” Harris said at the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS)’s President’s Conference in London on October 7.
He referenced long-term forecasts from both Airbus and Boeing, which project the need for roughly 680,000 and 600,000 additional aerospace engineers, respectively, over the next two decades.
According to the CAA, the number of UK-licensed engineers has plateaued at around 13,000 since 2023, despite the expansion of aviation activity. Meanwhile, the RAF continues to train more than 900 aircraft apprentices every year. Harris described this recruitment figure as “reasonably buoyant” but cautioned that retention rates are weakening.
He warned that competition for skilled professionals is intensifying worldwide, with other industries luring trained technicians. Many leave after acquiring valuable experience to pursue roles in rail, renewable energy, or defense contracting. Harris stressed that maintaining a strong engineering base is vital for both defense readiness and national prosperity.
Military–Civil Collaboration
Harris called for deeper collaboration between the military and civil aviation sectors, urging the RAF, MoD, and CAA to align standards and recognize shared competencies. He reflected that throughout his career, discussions about pilots and airspace had been frequent, but cooperation on engineering skills had been limited.
He outlined the RAF’s significant contribution: hundreds of apprentices each year receive intensive education in aerodynamics, systems maintenance, and safety protocols. Better coordination with civil regulators, he said, would create more flexible career paths and strengthen the UK aerospace ecosystem as a whole.
Harris emphasized that partnership, not competition, must guide the sector.
“If our people leave, I’d rather they go into the UK aerospace sector, given their deep understanding of airworthiness and human factors,” he said.
He added that the RAF is already collaborating with the CAA, supported by the Royal Aeronautical Society, to extend dual-accredited training across more programs.
While recruitment remains stable, retaining experienced engineers remains a challenge. Harris acknowledged that although salary differences influence decisions, personal fulfillment and professional development are also major factors.
Many young recruits are drawn by the excitement of working on advanced aircraft, but over time, they seek greater stability or civilian opportunities.
To address this, Harris said the RAF is exploring structured career pathways that allow engineers to transition smoothly between defense and civil aerospace.
“If we attract people into aviation, what does it matter if they go to me or to you?” he asked. “As long as they stay in aerospace, the sector wins.”
Accrediting Training Standards
The RAF’s engineering curriculum already mirrors much of the CAA’s Part-66 licensing framework, covering aerodynamics, theory of flight, and systems maintenance. Harris revealed that the RAF is now working with the CAA to formalize this overlap.
“There are huge advantages in taking the training I’m already giving and working with the CAA to see how it aligns with modules of that license,” he said.
He explained that aligning military and civil licensing systems would allow engineers to gain recognized qualifications without duplicating training, enhancing workforce mobility and retention across both sectors. The civil industry, he added, would also benefit from access to an already skilled and disciplined workforce.
He also proposed establishing a formal pathway to help experienced RAF engineers transition into civilian aerospace roles or return to defense positions later in their careers. By creating a two-way route between the sectors, he said, the UK could retain more talent, preserve technical knowledge, and strengthen its overall engineering base.
In closing, Harris said the initiative aims to ensure a steady flow of expertise across the UK aerospace sector, reinforcing both national defense and industry capability. He emphasized that closer cooperation on training and accreditation would help sustain the country’s long-term engineering strength and competitiveness.