Etihad Airways has announced plans to substantially boost the number of UAE nationals employed in the airline as part of its award-winning UAE national development strategy. More than 6,000 Emiratis will be offered jobs that span the spectrum of the airline’s operations over the next five years.

The UAE flag carrier will continue to utilise the strategic collaborations it has formed with a range of UAE government, educational and Emiratisation institutions with the aim of offering Emiratis various opportunities to develop a long and rewarding career in the airline business.

One of Etihad Airways’ major collaborations is its participation in the Absher initiative which was conceived by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to support Emiratisation and create new jobs for skilled Emiratis in the UAE labour market.

As part of the Absher initiative, Etihad Airways signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Presidential Affairs in June 2012 to recruit 1,500 Emirati citizens to its global team over the next five years. More than 900 UAE nationals have been recruited since then as part of the initiative.

In 2011, Etihad Airways signed an MoU with the Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council, ADTC, and since then has worked together to enhance the airline’s recruitment strategy for UAE nationals.

ADTC has supported Etihad Airways in its efforts to build successful future careers for UAE nationals in aviation by promoting job opportunities on their database and helped Etihad Airways spread awareness of the aviation industry amongst UAE nationals job seekers.

The Abu Dhabi-based airline also signed an MoU with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in 2013 with the aim of sponsoring and hiring UAE nationals studying abroad.

As part of this collaboration, 32 students studying in the United States have been sponsored by Etihad Airways, three of whom have already graduated and joined the airline’s various departments.

To attract even more talented young Emiratis, Etihad Airways recently took part in a recruitment event hosted by the UAE Embassy in Washington DC with the aim of screening and selecting a new batch of students who will eventually join the airline’s ranks.

Ahmed Al Jeneibi, a recent recruit and one of the graduates sponsored by Etihad Airways, said, "I was introduced to Etihad Airways at the 2013 UAE Student Conference in Washington DC where I was impressed by the professional prospects presented by the airline’s recruitment team and the employment offering, which included a substantial overview of my career path and progression within the airline.

"As a political science graduate, I chose to expand my experience by working in a politically oriented department within Etihad Airways and I joined the Department of Government and Aeropolitical Affairs. I am grateful to Etihad Airways for investing in me and look forward to progressing even further among the airline ranks." Etihad Airways also has an agreement in place with the Higher Colleges of Technologies and the Al Ain International Aviation Academy offering trainees the chance to obtain a B1 (Engineering License in Airframe and Engines) or B2 (Avionics) license in Aviation Engineering Technology. Once qualified, the trainees will become part of Etihad Airways' technical team at the airline's dedicated aircraft line and light maintenance facilities at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

The airline also has collaborations with the Higher Colleges of Technologies, Al Ain International Aviation Academy, and Abu Dhabi University offering pilot-related programmes.

The airline’s UAE national development strategy offers Emiratis world-class training, in addition to attractive career prospects across the global business. Roles are diverse, including graduate managers, cadet pilots, technical engineers, sales managers, guest service agents, contact centre agents and airport operations managers.

Etihad Airways’ Chief People and Performance Officer, Ray Gammell, said, "Etihad Airways is renowned as one of the country’s leading employers and recognised for our UAE national development strategy for providing our Emirati workforce with fantastic opportunities for development and progression.

"Collaborations and partnerships with national educational institutions in the UAE continue to play an important part in our efforts at recruiting, retaining and developing our UAE national workforce."

We accept Guest Posts