Bandung – In a bid to support the development of the aviation sector in Indonesia, Lion Group, one of the leading aviation industries, held a Guest Lecture titled “Soaring High: Opening Career Opportunities in the Aviation Industry” on February 22, 2024. The event, which took place offline, was enthusiastically attended by students from the Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (FTMD) at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB). What made this guest lecture particularly engaging was the presence of two successful alumni as keynote speakers: Setyo Jarnoko, Director of Engineering at Batik Air (Class of 1999 Aeronautical Engineering ITB Alumni), and Ongky Rinaldy, Director of Safety at Super Air Jet (Class of 2006 Aeronautical Engineering ITB Alumni). As one of the leading aviation industries in Indonesia, Lion Group reaffirmed its commitment to providing insights and opportunities for the future aviation generation.

PT Lion Air Group was founded on November 15, 1999, initially named PT Lion Mentari Airlines. The company operates in the aviation industry, providing air transportation services. Lion Air, the first private airline operated by Lion Air Group, with its Low-Cost Carrier Airlines (LCC) concept, began serving domestic and international flight routes. Over nearly 24 years since its establishment, Lion Air, as part of Lion Group, has emerged as a renowned airline. Apart from providing flight products such as Batik Air, Thai Lion Air, Wings Air, and Super Air Jet, Lion Group is also involved in the aviation sector through entities like Batam Aero Technic (aircraft maintenance center), Lion Boga Center, Lion Parcel, and Lion Group Training Center. This diversity of initiatives reflects Lion Group’s commitment to advancing the aviation sector through active support for education and training.

The Guest Lecture provided valuable insights for FTMD ITB students regarding career opportunities in the aviation industry. Setyo Jarnoko and Ongky Rinaldy, as ITB alumni, shared their experiences in the industry, discussed current trends in aviation, and explored potential opportunities for aspiring aviation professionals. They also highlighted the projected global workforce needs in the aviation industry, predicted by Boeing to reach over 2 million new personnel by 2040. This creates vast opportunities for students interested in entering this industry.

Furthermore, the guest lecture discussed aircraft maintenance services, including base maintenance, line maintenance, and component maintenance. This discussion was highly relevant to the curriculum in ITB’s Aeronautical Engineering program, providing insights into the importance of Lion Group’s one-stop aircraft maintenance services in ensuring aircraft performance and safety, critical aspects of the aviation field.

The highlight of the Guest Lecture was the campus recruitment session, where representatives from Lion Air Group provided information about ongoing recruitment programs, guided students through the selection process, and enthusiastically responded to participants’ questions.

Lion Air opened doors of opportunity for ITB students to join the Management Trainee program. The selection process for this program was scheduled to take place from February 22, 2024, to February 23, 2024. This opportunity allows students to develop their potential in the aviation industry through comprehensive training programs.

“We chose FTMD ITB because it is the only university with an Aeronautical Engineering program specializing in Aeronautics and Aviation,” said a representative from Lion Group’s Human Resources.

In this Management Trainee (MT) program, FTMD ITB students are assessed to have the required expertise matching Lion Group’s needs. Proficiency in Aeronautics from a technical perspective and knowledge in Aviation to support its business aspects are necessary. This is a unique point, as most other universities generally only focus on aeronautical aspects without considering the business aspects of the aviation industry.

Technical knowledge may be an essential foundation, but success in the workplace is also greatly influenced by soft skills such as integrity, cooperation, problem-solving abilities, and English language proficiency. Particularly in the global aviation industry, English proficiency is key in various non-technical jobs. In a dynamic environment like the aviation industry, the presence of resilient and adaptable leaders is a primary need. FTMD ITB students are also noted for their outstanding abilities in these areas, making them potential resources to lead and contribute to facing future changes.

The Guest Lecture is expected to provide students with a deeper understanding of the aviation world while opening doors to career opportunities in this dynamic industry. Through this collaboration, Lion Group and FTMD ITB aim to create a learning environment that supports professional growth in the aviation sector.