ABU DHABI // Etihad Airways has announced plans to add more than 6,000 Emiratis to its ranks over the next five years.
Nationals will fill a range of jobs, from pilots to accountants, aviation engineers and managers.
The carrier said it would build on relationships with government agencies and universities to offer recruits “a long and rewarding career in the airline business”.
“Etihad Airways is renowned as one of the country’s leading employers,” said Ray Gammell, Etihad’s chief people and performance officer.
“We have been widely praised and recognised for our UAE national development strategy and providing our Emirati workforce with fantastic opportunities for development and progression.
“Collaborations and partnerships with national educational institutions continue to play an important part in our efforts at recruiting, retaining and developing our UAE national workforce.
“As a result, UAE nationals are now the No 1 nationality group in the airline, as well as No 1 nationality group at our manager and higher management levels.”
Etihad’s recent Emiratisation drives include the launch of a two-year graduate finance development programme, which prepares Emirati trainees for careers in financial accounting.
Future programmes will be launched in government affairs, network planning, and properties and logistics, to broadly cover all aspects of the aviation business.
In another programme, conducted with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Etihad sponsors and hires Emiratis studying abroad.
It has sponsored 32 students in the US, with three graduates joining the company since 2013.
Ahmed Al Jeneibi, a recruit and one of the graduates sponsored by Etihad, was introduced to the airline at the 2013 UAE Student Conference in Washington DC.
Mr Al Jeneibi said he had been impressed by the recruitment team and opportunities on offer.
“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,” he said.
“I am grateful to Etihad Airways for investing in me and look forward to progressing even further among the airline ranks.”
The carrier also collaborates with Abu Dhabi University to offer a five-year bachelor’s degree in aviation science.
Programmes in engineering are offered with the Higher Colleges of Technologies and Al Ain International Aviation Academy.
Under the Absher initiative, the airline has followed through on a 2012 pledge to recruit 1,500 Emiratis within five years, with 900 joining the company since then.
One hundred and ninety Emiratis who started their careers in Etihad’s development programmes have taken jobs in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas, the company said.
Recruits can also be put on assignment with one of the carrier’s partner airlines.
“We have made huge strides and are looking forward to forging new partnerships to support more UAE nationals across the business, and significantly increase our Emirati representation year on year,” Mr Gammell said.
esamoglou@thenational.ae
