Head of National Development and Emiratisation at Etihad Airways, Amani Al Hashimi, said the group has decided to limit its training programs to UAE nationals only as of next year. In these programs, focusing on training national cadres to work in various aviation sectors, bringing about a shift in the Emiratisation rates of the group, and supporting the aviation sector with highly skilled citizens that will lead the sector in the coming years.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 2018 graduation ceremony at Etihad Airways for pilots, engineers and trainee graduates, Al Hashemi said yesterday that as of 2019, the programs will not be open to different nationalities as they are currently, but will be limited to Emiratis. In order to meet the large and varied needs of the aviation sector in the UAE, attract various qualifications and provide all disciplines related to the sector, while giving the national trainees all the necessary skills and specialized certificates that will lead them to lead the sector in the future.
Al Hashimi pointed out that the Group is focusing on the development of national cadres in the aviation sector in the coming period, especially as there is a shortage of specialized national technical staff to work in many specialties in the sector and provide national skills through specialized training programs. , There are many international regulations governing the sector, which requires the availability of citizens with high degrees of skill of various disciplines.
The Group currently implements 25 training programs, including 22 management programs, covering a wide range of aspects, such as sales, revenue management, airport operations, human resources, information technology, finance, etc., along with the Trainee Pilots Program, the Engineers Program and the Foundation Program The training programs include experimental education and supervision, external appointments and theoretical training, and are accredited by well-known bodies such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Etihad Airways has opened its training programs for more than 3,000 people over the past years, providing opportunities for young people to get the necessary training and skills on the job.
Etihad Airways plans to launch a new package of additional training programs for nationals starting next year as part of the implementation of a new strategy for Emiratisation programs and training programs.
Etihad has Emiratisation programs with most national universities in the UAE, such as Zayed University, Khalifa University and Abu Dhabi University, to train BA graduates in aviation science.