Tech-savvy farmer pilots maneuver crop-dusting drones over wheat fields in Jinhua, East China's Zhejiang Province, delivering precision fertilization during the pivotal spring jointing phase. Photo: VCG

Drones weave through golden wheat fields, delivering nutrients with precision — a glimpse into the expanding potential of China's low-altitude economy. Behind the emerging trend, a growing demand for skilled professionals in the field is expected to rise in the coming years.

The low-altitude economy, a term recently included in this year's government work report during the two sessions, has been explicitly recognized as an emerging industry requiring "safe and sound development." 

In 2024, the term "low-altitude economy" was first written into China's government work report, sparking a wave of local policies in support of the sector. Data shows that 30 provinces have already included the development of the "low-altitude economy" in their 2025 government work reports, according to China Central Television.

Providing an industry perspective, Fu Changyin, marketing director of Shanghai-based Volant Aerotech, a company developing electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL), told the Global Times that there is a clear shortage of technical talent in research and development of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). However, the scarcity of directly specialized talent has led the company to recruit from related industries, such as new-energy vehicles.

Against the backdrop of the rapidly growing low-altitude economy, Chinese universities are introducing specialized programs to cultivate future talent.

Recently, a total of six top universities in China have applied to add a new program in low-altitude technology and engineering, according to a public notice from the Ministry of Education. The program is four years term and leads to a degree in engineering. Some of these universities told the Global Times that student recruitment will begin this year.

Showcase unique prowess

The universities communicate with each other during the application process, enabling each institution to carve out its own unique focus, a staff from Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications（BUPT）told the Global Times,  noting that the university is placing emphasis on the field of information and communication technology (ICT). 

"As an interdisciplinary major, we conducted a thorough review of our faculty and laboratory resources, developed an initial plan, defined talent cultivation goals and designed the core curriculum," the staff added.

The staff went on to say the new program at BUPT integrates the most advantageous and distinctive resources, including the School of Information and Communication Engineering, School of Computer Science, School of Intelligent Engineering and Automation, bringing together a top-tier faculty who are actively involved in its development of the program, and this is also well-documented in the application materials.

One of the applied universities, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA), is focusing on developing the disciplines of transportation equipment engineering and safety science and engineering to support the rapid development of China's civil aviation industry and the low-altitude economy.

With the aim of cultivating high-level, multidisciplinary talent with a global perspective and technological innovation capabilities, the program at the College of General Aviation and Flight offers two main areas of study.

The first area is low-altitude digital detection and certification, which focuses on digital detection technologies for low-altitude aircraft and their airworthiness certification to cultivate talent with advanced research and technical capabilities, Wang Qin, professor from the college, told the Global Times. The curriculum covers sensor and testing technologies, low-altitude intelligent networking, positioning and navigation systems, as well as helicopter flight control.

The other aspect focuses on cultivating professionals in low-altitude flight services and support, encompassing areas such as low-altitude aircraft operation management, flight safety, airspace management and emergency support, Wang said.

Real-world application

Through collaboration with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), the program at NUAA aims to cultivate talent that meets civil aviation standards, promote the safe and efficient management of low-altitude airspace, and ensure that the development of the low-altitude economy complies with safety regulations, Wang told the Global Times.

The program also combines academic qualifications with professional certifications, where students earn a bachelor's degree while also obtaining licenses in relevant fields, such as drone piloting. This approach ensures a solid theoretical foundation while providing students with the legal qualifications to practice professionally.

Moreover, it features instructors who not only have extensive teaching experience but also practical industry experience, by bringing in experts with corporate backgrounds or project experience, Wang added. 

A low-altitude experimental training platform, including a low-altitude aircraft control laboratory, a simulated airspace management system and an intelligent communications laboratory, will also be established, Wang said. Students will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on training on these platforms, gaining practical skills in aircraft control, navigation, communication, perception and control.

The professor noted that NUAA will collaborate closely with enterprises and research institutions in the low-altitude economy sector. Through partnerships with drone manufacturers, general aviation companies and traffic management departments, students will gain hands-on experience in real projects, enhancing their industry skills.

According to the Xinhua News Agency, the CAAC estimates that the country's low-altitude market will soar to 1.5 trillion yuan ($220 billion) in 2025 and as much as 3.5 trillion yuan in 2035.

Fu from the Shanghai company noted that as universities in China gradually introduce relevant programs in response to the growing low-altitude economy, the company will also focus on campus recruitment to attract more top graduates. 

In the field of aircraft development, the establishment of a program is only the beginning, and there is a need for more practical experience in the development of the industry, Fu added.