
By: Tamer Sedky | October 9, 2025
In the heart of Kuala Lumpur's bustling convention scene, the Grand Ballroom and Banquet Hall at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) has transformed into a launchpad for careers and innovation. From October 8 to 10, 2025, the Selangor Aerospace Summit (SAS) 2025 is not just an exhibition or conference; it's a colossal recruitment bonanza drawing thousands of job seekers, industry titans, and policymakers under one roof. As part of the broader Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) 2025, this event underscores Selangor's bold ambition to cement its status as ASEAN's premier aerospace hub. But what truly sets SAS 2025 apart is its massive Career Fair, a talent-matching extravaganza in partnership with PERKESO's MYFutureJobs platform, poised to reshape the region's workforce landscape. With over 36 exhibiting companies, high-profile keynote sessions, and strategic MoU signings already underway, the summit is buzzing with energy. On its opening day, attendees witnessed the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and Letters of Intent (LoIs) that promise to bolster supply chains and foster cross-border collaborations. Yet, amid the high-tech displays and panel discussions on sustainable aviation, the real stars are the job seekers, fresh graduates, seasoned engineers, and mid-career professionals, lining up for interviews with giants like AirAsia, GE Aerospace, and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). This article dives deep into the summit's recruitment prowess, exploring its origins, mechanics, and far-reaching implications for Malaysia's aerospace future.

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The Evolution of SAS: From Aviation Show to Talent Powerhouse

The Selangor Aerospace Summit didn't emerge overnight; it's the phoenix rising from the ashes of the acclaimed Selangor Aviation Show. Building on the momentum of previous editions, where global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), regional leaders, and local SMEs converged, the 2025 iteration broadens its wings to encompass the full aerospace value chain. This includes manufacturing, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), commercial and business aviation, and even space-related technologies. Organized by Invest Selangor Berhad in alignment with the state's Rancangan Selangor Pertama (RS-1) blueprint, SAS 2025 is designed to drive economic growth, social inclusion, and innovation. What elevates this event to "massive" status in the recruitment realm? Last year's predecessor saw an impressive 222 job placements on-site, a figure that organizers are eager to surpass. Datuk Hasan Azhari Idris, CEO of Invest Selangor, emphasized this during the launch: "SAS 2025 reflects the state’s commitment to building a world-class aerospace ecosystem that fuels economic growth and nurtures future-ready talent." The Career Fair, held in collaboration with PERKESO, is the summit's beating heart. Spanning all three days from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, it connects over 1,000 registered job seekers with 36 leading employers. Registration via the MYFutureJobs portal has been swift, with vacancies listed in real-time for roles ranging from avionics technicians to supply chain analysts. The fair's scale is staggering: booths stretch across the expansive Grand Ballroom, each manned by recruiters from powerhouse firms. AirAsia is scouting for cabin crew and ground operations staff, while UMW Aerospace seeks precision engineers. GE Aerospace and Airbus Helicopters are on the hunt for MRO specialists, and the RMAF is recruiting for technical and operational roles. "This isn't just a job fair; it's a pipeline for high-value employment in a sector projected to grow by 5-7% annually in ASEAN," notes Ts. Shahrul Nizam from the National Aerospace Industry Coordination Office (NAICO) Malaysia, the summit's strategic partner.
A Day in the Life: Navigating the Career Fair Frenzy

Step into the Career Fair on Day 1 (October 8), and you're greeted by a symphony of networking, resumes fluttering, VR headsets simulating cockpit scenarios, and live demos of drone assembly. The air hums with anticipation as attendees like Aisha Rahman, a recent aerospace engineering graduate from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), weave through the aisles. "I've applied to five positions already, from composite materials specialist at ST Engineering to quality assurance at SIRIM QAS International," she shares, clutching a branded tote bag from the event. Aisha's story is emblematic: over 500 visitors pre-registered for the fair, with walk-ins swelling the numbers. The fair's structure is meticulously designed for efficiency. Pre-screened candidates receive personalized itineraries via the MYFutureJobs app, directing them to targeted booths. For instance, a session with PwC experts unpacked market outlooks and challenges, immediately followed by recruitment talks from NAICO. Interactive elements abound: SIRIM QAS International's booth at Hall B1078 offers on-the-spot consultations for AS9100 certification, a globally recognized quality standard crucial for aerospace suppliers. Nearby, the Czech Aerospace Cluster dazzles with mixed-reality pilot training systems, drawing crowds and sparking impromptu interviews. Employers aren't just passive recruiters; they're active participants. Transport Expo Asia (TXA) 2025, exhibiting at Booths B1045 and B1046, is blending aerospace with broader mobility solutions, seeking logistics coordinators. Selangor Aero Park at KLIA Aeropolis (Booth B1089) highlights opportunities in their burgeoning hub, where land transformation into aerospace facilities promises thousands of jobs. One standout moment: a live MoU signing between local SMEs and international firms, witnessed by Y.D.M. Engku Sri Paduka Diraja Raja Dato’ Reza Alhaj bin Raja Dato’ Zaib Shah Alhaj, Orang Besar Istana Selangor. Such ceremonies underscore the event's dual role in business deals and talent acquisition. By midday on October 9, the current pulse of the summit, over 300 interviews had been conducted, with preliminary offers extended to 50 candidates. PERKESO's on-site counselors provide resume tweaks and mock interviews, ensuring inclusivity. Women in Aerospace Malaysia, a vocal presence, hosts a dedicated panel on gender diversity, addressing the sector's mere 20% female representation. "We're not just filling seats; we're building diverse teams for tomorrow's skies," says one recruiter from Airbus Helicopters.
Beyond Interviews: Conferences and Site Visits Fueling Talent Pipelines
While the Career Fair steals the spotlight, SAS 2025's recruitment ecosystem extends far beyond booths. The conference program, kicking off with a bang on Day 1, weaves talent development into every discussion. Key sessions include "Market Outlook of the Aerospace and Aviation Industry" by PwC, dissecting impacts on Malaysia and ASEAN, and "Strategies for Elevating Malaysia’s Footprint in the Global Supply Chain" amid geopolitical shifts. Moderated by NAICO's Ts. Shahrul Nizam, these forums end with Q&A segments that double as networking mixers, where speakers like Maj. Gen. Ramli Bin Mohd Abd Jabar from RMAF field questions from aspiring hires. Day 2's agenda, unfolding today, dives into sustainability and digital transformation, hot topics for recruiters. Panels on green technologies, such as sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), highlight the need for eco-engineers, with ST Engineering pledging apprenticeships. A special SME session demystifies global supply chain access, empowering local firms to hire aggressively. "We're seeing a 30% uptick in demand for digital-savvy talent in MRO operations," reveals a GE Aerospace representative. Complementing the talks are hands-on experiences. An industry site visit to Asia Digital Engineering and Selangor Aero Park transports 200 participants to real-world facilities, offering guided tours and direct chats with on-site managers. "Nothing beats seeing a wing assembly line in action," enthuses participant Karim Lee, a mechanical engineer eyeing a relocation from Penang. These excursions aren't mere add-ons; they're recruitment accelerators, with 15% of last year's site visitors receiving follow-up offers. Exhibition highlights further amplify opportunities. Booths from Sin-Kung Logistics Berhad (a Bronze Sponsor) showcase supply chain innovations, while Crew Lounge Sdn Bhd and Impeccable Vintage Properties Sdn Bhd emphasize supportive infrastructure. Vrgineers' VR setups have become impromptu assessment tools, with recruiters evaluating candidates' aptitude in simulated flights.

Spotlights on Key Players: Employers Shaping the Future
At the epicenter are the employers, each bringing unique flavors to the recruitment table. AirAsia, the low-cost carrier behemoth, dominates with 150+ vacancies, from pilots to data analysts, leveraging Malaysia's aviation boom. "ASEAN's passenger traffic is exploding; we need agile talent now," says their HR lead. UMW Aerospace, a local champion, focuses on manufacturing roles, offering competitive packages with relocation support for outstation applicants. Global heavyweights like GE Aerospace and Airbus Helicopters bring prestige. GE's booth features turbine tech demos, targeting avionics experts with salaries starting at RM8,000 monthly. Airbus, meanwhile, scouts helicopter maintenance crews, emphasizing bilingual skills for regional ops. The RMAF adds a patriotic twist, recruiting for defense roles with immediate postings, appealing to the 40% of attendees under 25. Local innovators shine too. NAICO Malaysia, as a strategic partner, coordinates talent mapping, ensuring SMEs like those in Selangor Aero Park access skilled workers. SIRIM QAS International's certification focus attracts compliance pros, while TXA bridges aerospace with transport, seeking hybrid experts. Sponsors like Bronze backers, Sin-Kung for logistics, Crew Lounge for crew welfare, and Impeccable Vintage for property, round out the ecosystem, offering ancillary jobs in support services.

The Broader Impact: High-Value Jobs and Economic Lift-Off
SAS 2025's recruitment drive isn't isolated; it's a catalyst for Selangor's economic ascent. The aerospace sector already employs over 20,000 people in the state, contributing RM10 billion annually. This event could add 500-700 high-value jobs, with average salaries 25% above national medians. It aligns with RS-1's care economy goals, promoting inclusive hiring, 15% of vacancies target underrepresented groups, including Persons with Disabilities (PwD) and rural talents. Regionally, as ASEAN's aviation market surges toward 1.5 billion passengers by 2040, SAS positions Malaysia as the gateway. Cross-border MoUs signed yesterday, including with Czech partners, signal joint ventures that will demand skilled labor. "This summit isn't just about today’s hires; it's engineering tomorrow's workforce," asserts Datuk Hasan Azhari. Challenges persist: skill gaps in AI-driven MRO and green tech require upskilling, which PERKESO addresses via post-event training vouchers. Yet, the optimism is palpable. As one attendee tweets, "From booth to boardroom, SAS is where careers take flight."
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Aero-News Journal in the booth of Galaxy Aerospace |
Looking Skyward: Legacy and Next Horizons
As Day 2 wraps, SAS 2025 stands as a testament to strategic vision. With 36 exhibitors, 65 speakers across 13 topics, and a Career Fair that's already surpassed last year's placements, it's redefining recruitment in aerospace. For job seekers like Aisha and Karim, it's a golden ticket; for employers, a talent trove. The summit closes tomorrow, but its ripples will endure through new hires, forged partnerships, and a bolstered ecosystem. Selangor isn't just hosting an event; it's igniting a revolution. As the final whistle blows on October 10, one thing is clear: in the world of aerospace, the biggest lifts come from bold summits like this.