Earlier this year, UAV Industries Training Division launched a free Remote Pilot License Training Course exclusively for women. The course aimed to attract professional women interested in building a career within unmanned aviation and highlighted both the company’s commitment to improving the gender balance and to changing gender perceptions within the greater aviation industry.
Due to the overwhelming response to the free training offer, UAV Industries extended its numbers to accept thirteen candidates from all over Southern Africa. They attended ground school at either of the company’s accredited flight training facilities in Cape Town or Midrand. Students were selected on their interest and/or experience within the aviation and technology sectors, as well as their availability to attend and complete the full ground school programme and practical one-to-one flight training.
While all students were selected for their individual characteristics and qualities, one student, Captain Kgmotoso Phatsima from Botswana, really impressed the UAV Industries team with her passion, drive and successes within the aviation industry. Phatsima is the Founder and President of Dare to Dream, a social enterprise dedicated to the advancement of youth, women and girls in STEM Aviation and Aerospace.
Upon being selected for the free RPL training, she said:
“Thank you so much UAV Industries for this amazing opportunity! I am excited to learn to fly drones in order to inspire the next generation of drone technology leaders of tomorrow.”
Phatsima has since been named in the top 100 Most Influential Young Africans in the Africa Youth Awards 2018.
As the chosen women proceed with their practical instruction, the success of the course thus far has been evident, with the team receiving the following feedback:
“Peggy was excellent; she made the work easy to understand and took the time to make sure all learners understood.”
“The Ground School Training was really interesting and I thoroughly enjoyed it 🙂 Thank you for the opportunity.”
“What I liked most about my ground school experience was our interactive lecturers and their different teaching styles. It’s an environment I would like to be able to teach in one day.”
Head of Training, Ken Venn, says:
“While the aviation industry still has a long way to go to close the gender gap that exists, UAV Industries remains dedicated to promoting gender equality across our business and beyond, from training through to instruction and operations. We look forward to seeing our first exclusive classes of women complete their practical exams as 2018 draws to a close and hope to be able to share more positive news next year on their individual growth and development within the drone industry.”