The Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Services and Navigation of Alicante is actively expanding drone pilot training for young people aged 16 to 29. This initiative responds to the growing demand for skilled operators across sectors such as agriculture, industry, audiovisual production, security, rescue, and traffic management.
In a collaborative effort with Aerus Drones and Elda City Council, a cohort of 24 students is progressing through the I Drone Pilot Course organized by the Chamber in 2022 as part of the Comprehensive Qualification and Employment Program (PICE). The program blends theoretical instruction with hands on flight practice to prepare candidates for official examinations administered by the State Aviation Safety Agency (AESA). The resulting certifications include Drone Pilot A1-A3 open category status and Drone Pilot Specific Category for standard scenarios (STS01 and STS02). These credentials authorize flight within European airspace for recreational or professional purposes.
Professional journeys
During a visit to the training site, Chamber President Carlos Baño and Councilor Silvia Ibáñez of Economic Development, Industry and Employment, and Trade and Markets highlighted the strong enrollment and strong labor market outlook. Baño emphasized the program’s high acceptance rate and the clear signal it sends about the profession’s strong employability. He noted that demand spans diverse sectors from agriculture and civil engineering to audiovisual work, industrial monitoring, rescue, and safety tasks. The initiative also includes modules on social skills and employability to help students integrate into the workforce more effectively.
Potential roles for graduates include conducting topographic surveys to assess incident urgency, particularly in the agricultural domain, as well as supporting safety and rescue missions. Outputs from drones often include orthophotos, real time data, and image transmission, which assist in planning and response. The program also covers traffic management and related operations.
These capabilities extend into audiovisual production and advertising industries, where aerial imagery adds value to projects and campaigns. Additional applications exist in industrial and engineering contexts, where fleets of drones monitor rivers, natural phenomena, or the integrity of roofs, bridges, wind turbines, dams, and other critical infrastructure.
Baño described the course as a strategic response to the needs of multiple sectors for qualified professionals. He asserted that while the work demands high expertise, the program opens meaningful job opportunities for young people.
Young people who are not in work or study
The I Drone Pilot Course targets individuals aged 16 to 29 who are not employed or enrolled in education and who are participating in the National Youth Guarantee Plan. The training is certified by AESA and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, with theoretical sessions conducted at UNED facilities in Elda. The practical component takes place at the flight site operated by the local Aeromodelling Club, ensuring hands on experience in real world conditions.