Rising Demand for Drone Operators Reshapes China's Labor Market

The emerging low-altitude economy in China is dramatically transforming the job market, leading to an increased need for skilled experts in areas such as drone piloting and flight control, alongside aerial vehicle development. Industry experts suggest that there is a shortfall of approximately one million drone operators in the country.

Luo Hanqing, an experienced helicopter pilot with more than a dozen years in the field and 7,000 hours of flight time, has observed these changes up close. Working with a Shenzhen aviation firm, Luo’s initial focus was on operations related to offshore drilling platforms, but he now finds that urban low-altitude routes have become a significant aspect of his job. In an interview, he noted that his company currently holds around 130 to 140 pilots and has been expanding its workforce and enhancing training initiatives in response to the growing low-altitude business. Prior to flight missions, Luo and his team carefully scrutinize flight plans and conduct thorough helicopter inspections, emphasizing the need for pilots to possess in-depth piloting skills along with knowledge of route design and various technical facets.

Luo's training required roughly eight months to complete, including 200 hours of hands-on flying experience. However, the introduction of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is likely to ease the training burden for future pilots. Additionally, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which are controlled from the ground, are becoming increasingly popular. In this evolving sector, 20-year-old Liu Ye, a certified drone operator in Shenzhen, is part of the next generation of aviation specialists. After receiving his license from the China Civil Aviation Administration, Liu began his career at a low-altitude flight operations center, noting the extensive career possibilities in drone utilization, including for aerial photography and inspections.

As of June 2024, China had registered over 1.87 million drones but only had 225,000 certified operators, highlighting a significant talent gap. Yang Jincai, president of the Shenzhen Drone Industry Association, emphasized the crucial role of drone operators in various sectors like agriculture, environmental monitoring, and emergency response, while also predicting tremendous growth in the demand for eVTOL operators in the coming years.