Etihad Celebrates Largest-Ever Group of Emirati Graduates

Etihad’s largest-ever group or Emirati graduates celebrated with their families and friends at a special ceremony at the Al Raha Beach Hotel in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

More than 450 people gathered to congratulate the group of 63 UAE National graduates - cadet pilots, graduate managers and engineering graduates - as the airline’s Chief Executive Officer, James Hogan, presented each graduate with a certificate marking their achievement.

As well as the 38 cadet pilots, 19 graduate managers and six engineer graduates from the UAE, an additional 26 graduating cadet pilots of other nationalities were recognised during the ceremony.

“It is a proud day for all of us at Etihad to see so many of our Emirati trainees graduate,” said James Hogan, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways. “It is vital for our airline to invest in training ‘home grown’ Emirati talent, ensuring they are ready and fully equipped to move into our staff ranks. I wish them all the very best of luck in their careers with Etihad Airways and look forward to witnessing the great accomplishments they will achieve for our airline ... As the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, we are committed to having talented Emiratis, both men and women, working in all fields - not only in the UAE, but in our outstations across the Etihad network.”

The cadet pilots, who have completed an 18 month training course, have now joined the airline as Second Officers.

The engineering graduates - each of whom has been awarded a Diploma of Aircraft Maintenance Engineering - commenced their training in December 2007 in the UAE and continued on to Brisbane, Australia, where they completed theory training at Aviation Australia.

Mr Hogan said, “This is a momentous occasion for Etihad, as today we congratulate our first female Emirati engineer graduate on the completion of her training program with Etihad Airways.”

Two groups of graduate managers, who have completed an 18 month training program, are in the process of being are being placed in various departments across Etihad’s network including positions at outstations in Casablanca, Munich, Melbourne, Kuala Lumpur and Doha.

The Etihad Airways Emiratisation Program offers a wide range of training opportunities for UAE nationals, including an English language training program in addition to the programs for cadet pilots, technical engineering and graduate managers.

Etihad will launch a UAE National Career Centre this year to recruit additional Emirati candidates. The centre will offer career counselling and oversee various recruitment campaigns in universities, colleges and career fairs across the UAE.

Etihad’s Emiratisation program has 150 UAE national trainees deployed across the airline, including 112 Cadet Pilots, 16 Graduate Managers and 22 Technical Engineers.

The total percentage of UAE nationals working for Etihad Airways is currently 12%, and the airline is on track to reach its target for 2010 of 15%.

See other recent news regarding: Airlines, Airports, Awards, Flights, Codeshare, Lounges, First Class, Business Class, MICE, GDS, Rewards, Miles, Hotels, Apartments, Promotions, Spas, Yoga, Retreat, New Hotels, Traffic, Visitor Arrivals, Cruises, Free Deals, Videos, Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi, Pilots