Training China's Next Low-Altitude Workforce
A look at three recent industry‑education developments.
China faces a substantial gap between the demand for low‑altitude workers and the supply of qualified personnel.
According to the Civil Aviation Administration of China's (CAAC) 2025 Civil Aviation Industry Development Statistical Bulletin, registered drones in the country grew to 3.287 million by the end of 2025, while cumulative CAAC‑issued drone pilot licenses stood at only about 415,500 — highlighting the severity of the talent shortage.
To address the gap, the Ministry of Education added six low‑altitude‑related vocational specialties in late 2025.