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Case Study

Transition to Zero Emission Aviation and Aerospace

This study developed a comprehensive evidence base on the skills needed to support Scotland’s transition to zero-emission aviation and aerospace, examining current activities, emerging technologies, and workforce capabilities across aircraft operations, manufacturing, and maintenance to inform future skills development and policy planning.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

This project developed a robust evidence base of the skills required to enable Scotland to make the transition to zero emission aviation and aerospace, maximising economic opportunities.

The project scope was defined as: Operation of aircraft within Scotland, including passenger aircraft and delivery drones and operation of associated ground vehicles; Activities in the supply chains for the development, manufacture, maintenance and decommissioning of aircraft and ground vehicles to address Scottish and international opportunities.
Skills requirements to achieve a transition to zero emission operation over a 10 year period were considered.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

Understand the scale and nature of aviation and aerospace craft and ground vehicles currently operating in Scotland
Understand the potential technologies and practices likely to be utilised to support decarbonisation, up to 2032, and estimate the potential levels of their adoption in the craft and ground vehicles operating in Scotland
Identify the current scale of Scottish employment in different segments of the overall aviation and aerospace landscape
Identify the scale and nature of key skills required to support decarbonisation, up to 2032
Define the current skills provision servicing the Scottish aviation and aerospace landscape and identify key skills gaps and shortages with potential to act as a barrier to the decarbonisation the sector in Scotland and potential wider economic opportunities
Identify the barriers to skills development
Identify any transferrable skills and talent from other sectors

Understand the scale and nature of aviation and aerospace craft and ground vehicles currently operating in Scotland
Understand the potential technologies and practices likely to be utilised to support decarbonisation, up to 2032, and estimate the potential levels of their adoption in the craft and ground vehicles operating in Scotland
Identify the current scale of Scottish employment in different segments of the overall aviation and aerospace landscape
Identify the scale and nature of key skills required to support decarbonisation, up to 2032

Define the current skills provision servicing the Scottish aviation and aerospace landscape and identify key skills gaps and shortages with potential to act as a barrier to the decarbonisation the sector in Scotland and potential wider economic opportunities
Identify the barriers to skills development
Identify any transferrable skills and talent from other sectors

OUR APPROACH

The research was carried out using a combination of secondary and primary activities. A review of relevant policies, strategies, articles and other data sources was conducted to provide an understanding of the scale of Scottish based activity across the various segments of the aviation and aerospace landscape. Key policies, strategies and initiatives, driving the decarbonisation of the sector were also identified and the measures (technical and non-technical) being developed to achieve decarbonisation targets were defined and investigated, along with potential barriers to implementing these measures. This baseline of information was tested and built upon through a programme of primary research with representatives from the different segments of the aviation and aerospace landscape. Information gathered during the secondary and primary research was then analysed to address each research objectives.

DELIVERY TEAM

John Taylor
Senior Consultant
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Iain Weir
Senior Consultant
About>
Deborah Creamer
Managing Director & Senior Consultant
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OUTPUTS AND IMPACTS

The key findings of this study are summarised in the following infographic (click to enlarge) with more details available in the full report which is available on the Transport Scotland website (“Skills for Net Zero Aviation and Aerospace”, 2023).

“This report has helped Transport Scotland to understand the key skills needs ahead to tackle the climate emergency and deliver a just transition by ensuring transport skills needs are known by skills stakeholders.”

Transport Scotland

John Taylor

Senior Consultant

I’m John Taylor, a Senior Consultant at Optimat. Since joining the company in 2003, I have developed specialisms in sustainability and net zero related studies. This includes projecting future market demand scenarios, profiling regional supply chain capabilities, identifying and evaluating public sector support interventions and understanding future net zero skills needs across transport, built environment, energy transition, industrial decarbonisation and waste and the circular economy.

I am also one of the lead consultants for economic impact assessments and evaluation of challenge-fund programme and project applications. An experienced innovation due diligence assessor, I focus on reviewing R&D project applications with environmental outcomes. I like to work with good people in teams that deliver insights and outputs that clients value.

Prior to joining Optimat, I started a company to create online platforms to catalyse collaboration between companies and research organisations. Before this, I spent seven years working in the Scottish economic development network, supporting start-up and growing businesses, across all sectors, to develop business plans and access funding.

I have a BA(hons) in Business Economics and Marketing, an MSc in Entrepreneurial Studies and an MSc in Economic Management & Policy with Environmental Economics.

Iain Weir

Senior Consultant

I’m Iain Weir, formerly Managing Director of Optimat.  I joined Optimat in 1990 and now have over 35 years’ experience of strategy, innovation and economic development consultancy. I am now working part-time as a senior consultant as a stepping stone to retirement in the future.

During my time at Optimat, I’ve worked to support company growth, innovation and economic development across a range of sectors, and I enjoy working with clients to turn data and insight into meaningful action.  I’m proud to have had an integral role over that time in developing Optimat into an internationally recognised strategy consultancy.

One of my key areas of expertise is the development of the low carbon economy, a topic of increasing importance for today’s industries.  I think this is a challenging area for industry and the public sector to address as there can be several solutions offered to reduce carbon impacts, often without a strong evidence base to support their use. I enjoy pursuing an evidence-based analyses of these options to provide valuable insights to stakeholders.

Before joining Optimat, I worked in research and development in the electro-optic materials sector, developing and marketing innovative high-tech materials for a range of applications.  This industrial experience has strongly influenced my approach to assisting companies with their innovation activities.

I hold a BSc (1st class Hons) in Chemistry, a PhD in Chemistry, and an MBA.  I think this strong scientific background has enabled me to pursue an evidence-based and analytical approach to consultancy.

Deborah Creamer

Managing Director

I’m Deborah Creamer, the Managing Director of Optimat. I’m passionate about helping organisations and businesses make smarter, evidence-based decisions, especially when it comes to innovation, technology, and long-term growth.

I’ve been part of the Optimat team since 1998, specialising in strategic industrial analysis for high-tech sectors. Over the years, I’ve built up a deep understanding of what drives success in innovation and economic development, and I enjoy working with clients to turn data and insight into meaningful action.

I specialise in advanced materials and manufacturing and the industries in which they play a key role – ranging from aerospace to medical devices. My particular area of expertise is in funding for innovation, spanning a broad spectrum from evaluating R&D and innovation funding application to developing business cases for significant innovation assets in Scotland and the UK. I’ve supported many organisations to craft successful funding applications whether that is for a small R&D project or a state-of-the-art innovation centre and it’s incredibly rewarding to help secure the backing that great ideas need to become reality. Ibelieve in the power of innovation, collaboration, and practical thinking to create lasting impact, for businesses, industries, and communities.

Before joining Optimat, my career started in materials R&D and new product development, working with BP International and Bourns Electronics Inc. That hands on industry experience gave me a solid foundation in how technologies evolve and get to market.

I hold a BSc (Hons) in Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, an MBA, and I’m a Chartered Engineer.