Etihad Aviation Group recently celebrated the graduation of 140 UAE nationals from various training programmes during a Year of Tolerance-themed ceremony at Zayed University, Abu Dhabi.

The graduates included 36 cadet pilots, 66 aircraft engineers, and 38 managers and officers, bringing the total number of Emiratis to have completed such training to more than 1,500 since they were launched in 2007.

Mohamed Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazrouei, chairman of Etihad Aviation Group, said: “We are proud to celebrate our ‘Year of Tolerance’ graduates. Etihad’s Emiratisation programme continues to go from strength-to-strength, in line with the ambitions of the UAE leadership, and reflecting the strategy of the Abu Dhabi government and the UAE in the aviation sector.

“The graduation of our 11th batch of UAE nationals emphasises our commitment to attracting more Emirati talent, ensuring a sustainable stream of high-calibre UAE nationals into the aviation sector. Today we mark the success of Etihad’s sustainable Emiratisation strategy in boosting the operations of Etihad and the aviation sector, a key driver of economic growth in the UAE.”

Ibrahim Nassir, chief human resources & organisational development officer, Etihad Aviation Group said: “We’re excited to welcome our 11th batch of graduates into the business. Our world-class training programmes span multiple areas including cadet pilot training, engineering, graduate managers, and other technical aviation fields, and offer a combination of certified classroom and practical hands-on experience that equips UAE nationals with all the skills they need to embark on an exciting career in aviation. Our people are at the heart of our business, and we know that investing in their future is vital for securing the sustainable development of aviation in the UAE.”

Etihad has teamed up with world-class universities and academic organisations in the UAE and abroad to offer courses that are certified and approved by key industry entities including the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

The airline offers a variety of training programmes including Etihad’s Cadet Pilot programme which spans two years and provides trainees with a Multi-Crew Pilot License(MPL) and a First Officer role after graduation. The Technical Engineering Development Programme also runs for two years, combining theory and practical assignments, where the trainees learn about light and heavy maintenance, before graduating as a licensed aircraft mechanics.

The event also celebrated the introduction of a new Foundation programme in 2019 that focuses on essential customer service roles designed to support airport operations, which saw the first batch of graduates receiving their certificates, and dozens more are set to undergo training in 2020. – TradeArabia News Service