Challenges

The Paraguayan government has specified the transportation sector as a major development task in its 2030 National Development Plan. Development in the transportation sector, particularly the aviation segment, is urgently needed for intraregional exchanges and the transportation of people and goods in Paraguay. One specific area for improvement is large aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), which is a labour-intensive and high value-added industry.

The absence of a national full-service carrier signals that the aviation industry is underdeveloped in Paraguay and that there is a shortage of decent work in the aviation industry. This, along with a low domestic demand, means that the foundation of the aviation industry is weak. Moreover, as the aviation competitiveness of neighbouring countries, such as Bolivia, improves, the competitiveness of Paraguay’s aviation industry is further weakened and is highly dependent on the stability of neighbouring countries’ economies. Due to these circumstances, Paraguay’s aviation industry and the training of professionals to sustain it are part of the government’s national development plan.

Toward a Solution

To address this challenge, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) designed a triangular cooperation project titled “Strengthening the Capacity of Aviation Professionals in Paraguay” together with the National Service of Industrial Learning (SENAI) of Brazil and the National Directorate of Civil Aeronautics of Paraguay (DINAC) (the beneficiary partner). The objective is to foster an aviation industry workforce and increase economic productivity in the aviation industry in Paraguay. This includes the establishment of an instruction system for aviation workers and improvement of aviation safety. 

KOICA, which benefits from Korea’s comparative advantage in large aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), offers financial support, plays a facilitating role, dispatches experts and does monitoring and management in general. The National Service of Industrial Learning (SENAI) of Brazil, which brings expertise in small aircraft MRO and is the only educational institution approved to provide education and training to the Brazilian Air Force, provides instruction to the National Directorate of Civil Aeronautics of Paraguay (DINAC). DINAC gave administrative support for selecting and dispatching personnel to participate in the SENAI aviation maintenance instructor training course. Meanwhile, SENAI developed appropriate training materials for DINAC, arranged on-site activities, provided training materials and shared part of the training budget. These important comparative advantages of the implementing partners combine to ensure the achievement of the project goals. 

To initiate the project, KOICA conducted a feasibility study to assess the triangular project and its partners’ qualifications. After SENAI completed its preparations for the training courses, six Paraguayan aviation maintenance personnel were selected and over a year period successfully finished three modules (practical training on conventional engines, reaction engine training and training on airframes) to build more national expertise in aircraft MRO as instructors. Even though the SENAI training has concluded, each party is committed to continue the triangular cooperation on a regular basis until February 2023, with SENAI planning to develop more modules for Paraguayan aircraft MRO personnel.

The Project Implementation Unit meets on a regular basis with selected appropriate personnel from each party to increase ownership and allow close consultation. By sharing the progress of each step of the project through these regular briefing sessions, issues and challenges can be responded to appropriately and a smooth cooperative system is being maintained.

This project contributed to the achievement of SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) and SDG 9 (resilient infrastructure, industrialization and innovation) by strengthening the skills and experiences of Paraguayan aviation maintenance personnel and experts through systematic training.

The sharing between countries of tailored training resources through established and reputable institutions is sustainable and replicable in aviation and other sectors. Once Paraguay’s capacity in aviation maintenance is improved, this has the possibility of spilling over to other countries in the region, especially considering the geographical proximity and linguistic similarities.