The career ambitions of some young Emiratis on this month’s Tourism Youth Summer Camp the sixth in the annual series organized by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) have taken off following a workshop in which the students, all aged between 15 and 17, came face-to-face with Etihad Airways’ national pilots.
In a highly interactive opening to a transportation workshop, Etihad’s Senior First Officer Khalil Ibrahim Al Amiri, Second Officer Muna Waleed Al Hammadi and Cadet Pilot Ahmed Abdulla Al Naaqbi, briefed the youngsters on their own careers, Etihad Airways’ fleet and destination network and the many career disciplines open to them in the airline. The nationals also heard of the vital link between air connectivity and tourism development.
And Senior First Officer Al Amiri was resolute in recommending the aviation sector to his young compatriots.
“It is a very good life and I really recommend you consider it,” he said.
And the workshop brought immediate results with a number of the nationals saying they were now going to put airline careers on their agenda.
Fifteen-year-old Mariam Abdulla, a student at Abu Dhabi’s Applied Technical High School was firm in her choice. “I want to be an aircraft engineer I’ve wanted this for some time and listening to the guys today has just confirmed me in this choice,” she said.
Becoming a pilot, of course, was a popular option and now in the sights of 15-year-old school mates Aysha Ahmed and Rowda Saleh both of Mwaheb High School and Nadra Belal of STS Technical High School.
“It was great meeting Muna, she’s our idol and a role model. She represents our country for the younger generation and we’d like to follow her example,” said Rowda.
Seventeen-year-old Muna Khamis of Zayed University was inclined towards becoming a crew member. “I know it’s hard work and strange hours but I want to serve the people coming to our country well,” she explained.
Later the students were briefed on Abu Dhabi’s developing cruise business in a workshop conducted by Noura Al Dhaheri, Cruise Terminal Manager, Abu Dhabi Ports Company.
“This was the first workshop of its kind for the programme and gave the students an overview of a sector they knew little about,” said Fatima Al Melhi, Industry and Tourist Guide Training Unit Head, TCA Abu Dhabi. “The interest is such that we hope to expand on this theme next year.
“Overall the camp is living up to one of its key objectives of educating young nationals of the role of the tourism industry in the economic mix and the wide breadth of career opportunities its holds out.”
