I am a licensed aircraft engineer without a job since October 2001.
Since then I have been trying to find employment all over the world. It seems only licensed aircraft engineers with European JAR 66 licences are in demand.
As I live in Belgium, a country that doesn't have the JAR 66 licence and probably will not before 2011, that means I cannot find a job anywhere. In the past it was always possible to convert my previous company licence and my US FAA A&P licence.
Many quality assurance managers insist employees hold a JAR 66 licence, but I understand the JAR 66 licence is compulsory only after 2011. As less than half European countries are issuing this licence, half of the continent's licensed aircraft engineers are without a licence and therefore not in a position to work in another country. I have more than 25 years worldwide experience and this is now worthless. Experience is important because this leads to safety and quality. Now it seems only having the proper paper is important.
It appears to be easier to convert a pilot licence into any national licence than to convert an engineer's licence. I don't think this protectionism does aviation any favours - it is time to accept that aviation is a worldwide business.
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Source: Flight International
