Hundreds of young UAE nationals have expressed interest in working for Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, following the first day of the Abu Dhabi Recruitment Show 2009.
The Abu Dhabi-based airline was a leading sponsor at the three-day job fair, one of the most important recruitment events in Abu Dhabi, which took place between February 3 and 5 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
The airline’s participation is part of Etihad’s efforts to increase the number of Emiratis working for the airline as it continues its rapid expansion.
Dr Salwa Al-Noaimi, Etihad Airways’ vice president recruitment, said: “Recruiting top Emirati talent is a top priority at Etihad. As the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, it is particularly important that we do all we can to encourage more Emiratis to play their part in the continued development of our airline.
“With Etihad’s incredible growth set to continue, it is crucial that we develop our multi-talented, multi-cultural workforce with strong Emirati representation. This is an excellent opportunity for UAE nationals to join a vibrant and exciting company and make a positive step towards a career with the world’s fastest growing airline.”
Etihad is specifically looking to recruit new Emirati members of staff into the airline’s finance, information technology, sales, call centre, ground services, network planning, technical and marketing divisions, in addition to its successful cadet pilot programme.
Etihad continues to build its Emiratisation employment schemes which now boast more than 120 participants across cadet pilot, management trainee and technical engineering programmes.
The cadet pilot scheme began in June 2007 and has already taken its sixth intake of cadets. The programme includes the first-ever Emirati female cadet pilots. Salma Mohammed Al-Baloushi, from Al Ain, and Aisha Hassan Al-Mansouri, from Khorfakkan, who joined the programme with another 10 male cadets in October 2007.
The graduate management development programme aims to produce UAE national managers to play key roles in the future development of Etihad. It delivers an internationally accredited qualification, which is underpinned by the National Vocational Qualifications. On completion of the programme, graduates receive an internationally recognised post graduate diploma. Etihad welcomed its third group of management trainees in December 2008.
Etihad welcomed its first class of Emirati trainees in 2007 to its new technical engineering programme and has recently taken in its second batch of students. Trainees follow a five-year development programme in the UAE, at the prestigious Higher College of Technology in Abu Dhabi. Once qualified, the engineer trainees will join Etihad’s technical division, based at the airline’s new dedicated aircraft maintenance facility at Abu Dhabi airport.
As well as its own Emiritisation training programmes, Etihad Airways is also working with educational institutions to develop the talent of Emiratis looking for employment in the travel industry. The airline signed in September 2008 a three-year deal with Zayed University in Abu Dhabi to offer internships, sponsorship opportunities and summer work for graduates and undergraduates of the university.
As part of the agreement, Etihad will train graduates for a period of six months in a range of different departments, including operations, network planning, sales, finance and marketing. The airline will also accept fourth year interns for work placement, provide summer work in various sections and sponsor a selection of third and fourth year students.
Etihad has grown rapidly since its first took to the skies in November 2003. The airline currently has more than 7,000 staff, a workforce projected to grow to 27,000 by 2020.
