Abu Dhabi: A total of 237 students graduated from the Etihad Training Academy in Abu Dhabi to start their career in the aviation industry.
The graduates include 15 Emirati cadet pilots, 29 cadet pilots of other nationalities, 24 graduate managers, five of whom completed the finance development programme, 169 contact centre staff, including 35 Omani nationals. They were recognised at a ceremony held in the capital.
The graduating cadet pilots had completed an 18-month training course and have now joined the airline as second officers. During the training, cadets had to complete 900 hours of classroom tuition and 201 hours of flight training in single and multi-engine aircraft.
Additionally, cadets must also pass the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority’s technical and flying exams to receive a UAE Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL).
Fahad Abdul Karim Fahad Mohammad Al Jesmi, one of the graduating cadet pilots, said: “I have always had a passion for flying and travelling to new places that I have never been to, yet dreams always remain dreams unless one works hard to achieve them, and that was what I did by joining Etihad Airways’ cadet pilot programme.”
As part of the Emiratisation recruitment programme, Etihad Airways had worked closely with the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council, Higher Colleges of Technology, Zayed University and Abu Dhabi University to further enhance its ability to recruit nationals.
“The most valuable asset of any organisation is its people and this why staff development is such a significant focus for us. Through our innovative Emiratisation programme we work hard to develop our UAE national staff,” James Hogan, president and chief executive officer of Etihad Airways, said.
Since Etihad Airways began its Emiratisation programme in 2007, around 229 cadet pilots, 127 graduate managers and 206 contact centre agents have passed through the academy and are now deployed in posts across the airline.
The graduation ceremony also included 19 graduate managers, who completed a 21-month Graduate Managers Development Programme (GMDP). They took a nine-month orientation through key Etihad departments, followed by a six-month placement in head office or a four-month placement in an outstation, depending on the position.
“The GMDP programme gave us a chance to explore multiple disciplines of the aviation world. I am grateful for this unique experience and I do not think I would have been able to receive this kind of exposure anywhere else,” said Mohammad Yahia Madour, who will be stationed as a manger of product development at Etihad headquarters.
Additionally, Etihad Airways played a major role in empowering Emirati women.
Mouza Khalfan Al Raisi, who chose to join Al Ain contact centre, which was announced as a centre for women staffed by Emirati women in 2009 by Etihad Airways, said: “I found myself fitting in well at Etihad Airways. Leading the social committee at the Al Ain contact centre has helped to develop my leadership and organisation skills. We work together as one family with the goal of strengthening our social identity.”
“I have completed a two-month training course and I am really pleased with what I have achieved till the current time. Etihad Airways facilitated everything for us and I did not face any challenges. I hope I can reach better and higher position hopefully in the near future,” Shamma Al Shraify, a 21-year-old contact centre staff in Al Ain, told Gulf News.
