By Sunish M S, with 23 years in the Aviation and Ground Handling Industry
Imagine this: I was speaking to a group of college students about aviation, sharing insights on career opportunities and skills needed for the industry. After the session, a smart, curious young woman approached me with a question that many of you may have asked yourselves at some point: “Why should I go through this training when I can just watch YouTube videos? Isn’t it the same thing?”
I get it—why spend time, money, and energy on formal training when we live in a world where you can learn almost anything online? But here's the thing: learning and training are not the same, and that difference is crucial, especially in fields like aviation (or any hands-on skill). Let me explain..
I asked her, “Can you learn to swim by watching a 50-hour YouTube tutorial or reading an eBook?” Of course, you can pick up the techniques, the basic movements, and the rules of swimming. But can you actually swim without getting into the water? No.
That’s the core difference between learning and training. Learning is about acquiring knowledge—reading, watching videos, and absorbing information. But training is about applying that knowledge in real-life scenarios. You need to get into the water to really understand swimming. You need an experienced trainer, a swimming pool, and yes, you need to be ready to swallow some water along the way!
In today’s digital age, we have access to endless information, much of it free. You can learn almost anything from YouTube, blogs, or online courses. But here's the catch: not all content is reliable. You need to be cautious about what and whom you're learning from. Is the information accurate? Is it vetted by industry professionals or regulatory bodies?
Many people fall into the trap of thinking they've mastered something because they've watched a few videos on the topic. There's even a running joke about people who graduate from the “YouTube University.” Before you commit to learning something, check the credibility of the person teaching it, and make sure the content aligns with industry standards.
While learning can happen anywhere—through peers, teachers, digital media—training requires a specific environment and expert supervision. Let’s say you’re training for a role in aviation. You can't just pick that up from watching a video. You need real-life simulations, access to the equipment, and, most importantly, a skilled trainer to guide you.
In training, you’re going to make mistakes. That’s expected. But those mistakes need to be monitored and corrected by someone who knows the ropes, so you can get better. This is also why industries often limit on-the-job training—because mistakes in real-time can be costly, both in terms of safety and money.
This brings me to why we created a 3.5 million sq. ft. meta reality airport. It's designed for students like you to access your future workstations and train in the right environment. This virtual airport lets you make mistakes without real-world consequences, allowing you to learn the ropes without the stress of damaging actual equipment or risking safety.
In the real world, airports are becoming stricter with hands-on training due to safety and security concerns. That’s why these mixed reality training sessions are a game-changer. They give you the experience of being on the job—without the risks.
So, to that young woman—and anyone else wondering—yes, you can learn the theory on YouTube. But training is where you apply that knowledge in a controlled, supervised environment. That’s how you turn knowledge into skill.
In the end, it’s not just about knowing the steps; it’s about practicing them, perfecting them, and gaining the confidence to handle any situation with certainty. That’s the difference between learning and training.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunish M S has spent nearly 23 years in the aviation industry, working with airlines and ground handling services. He is passionate about preparing the next generation of aviation professionals for success through immersive training experiences.
