Mubadala and Boeing to offer internships for young Emirati engineers

Collaboration gives UAE nationals the chance to explore opportunities in the field of aeropsace engineering

A worker at one of Strata's manufacturing facilities at the Nibras Al Ain Aerospace Park. Courtesy Strata Manufacturing

Dozens of Emirati engineering students are set to benefit from an internship programme run by Boeing and the Mubadala Investment Company.

On Thursday, the two companies renewed a partnership aimed at growing the skills of young Emiratis in the fields of aviation and aerospace.

The programme was established between the Abu Dhabi state fund and the world’s largest aerospace company in 2015 in an effort to create career opportunities for Emirati engineering students in the aerospace engineering field.

During the 18-week internship, students are taken through technical aspects of aerospace engineering, from fabrication to manufacturing and industrial engineering in Boeing facilities in the US.

Since its launch four years ago, 40 Emiratis have graduated from the internship and gone on to secure jobs with Mubadala firms involved in aerospace manufacturing, maintenance, repair and satellite communication.

Helping young Emiratis gain insight into the workings of an international firm such as Boeing is part of Mubadala’s goal of positioning Abu Dhabi as a global aerospace hub, the company said in a statement.

“To continue the development of the UAE’s aerospace industry, it is essential we invest in our most valuable asset, our youth, to build the future generation of aerospace professionals who will continue building the sector in the UAE,” said Badr Al Olama, head of Mubadala Aerospace.

Bernard Dunn, president of Boeing Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, said the company was pleased to collaborate to provide aerospace engineering expertise and grow the UAE’s aeronautical capabilities.

The partnership began a decade ago to develop initiatives that could benefit both companies.

The country’s aviation sector is set to grow and the internship programme is part of a wider ambition to identify talent to keep pace with demand.