Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, has welcomed 20 Emirati trainees to its technical engineering development program bringing the number of trainees currently enrolled in the program to 86.

This is the largest number of trainees to be enrolled in the program since its inception in 2008 as part of the airline’s expanding Emiratisation scheme.

Etihad Airways’ engineering program, in partnership with Higher Colleges of Technologies and Al Ain International Aviation Academy, offers trainees the opportunity to obtain a B1 (Engineering License in Airframe and Engines) or B2 (Avionics) license in Aviation Engineering Technology. The program is accredited by both the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

The trainees were chosen after extensive assessments, and once qualified, will become part of Etihad Airways’ technical division at the airline’s dedicated aircraft line maintenance facility at Abu Dhabi airport.

Etihad Airways’ Chief Operations Officer, Richard Hill, said: “Etihad Airways is committed to developing a skilled and qualified cadre of Emirati engineers to join its technical division. We are very proud of all our trainees and have complete confidence that the new batch will make good use of this opportunity to gain valuable experience and further develop their careers.“

Once the trainees complete their academic qualification they then start a full time on-the-Job training (OJT) program to complete the EASA-GCAA practical requirements. They will also have to complete a specialised Aircraft Type course to finally become fully licensed Airbus or Boeing aircraft engineers. Currently seven trainees are undergoing their OJT and are set to become certified engineers at the end of this year.

Ebrahim Yahya Al Hashimi, one of the trainee engineers currently in the program said: “Enrolling in the Engineering Development Program has been a great experience. From day one I have been supported, motivated and encouraged to excel.”

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