Etihad Emiratisation programme going strong

The scheme boasts 87 cadet pilots, 34 graduate managers and 29 technical engineers with 125 men and 25 women currently training in Abu Dhabi.

James Hogan the airline’s chief said: “As the national airline of the UAE, it is very important that Emiratis have a key role in the development of all areas of the company. The cadet pilot, graduate manager and technical engineer programmes will help us to make this happen and ensure we have a workforce of the very highest calibre.”

The Etihad Airways cadet pilots are currently training to gain their airline transport pilot licence (ATPL) qualifications. This includes 750 hours of classroom tuition and 205 hours of flight training in both single-engine and multi-engine aircraft.  During this time they also have to pass the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority’s theoretical knowledge and flying exam.

Abdulla Khalifa Al Braiki, a cadet pilot on the current course, said: “I am thrilled to join the Etihad Emiratisation programme which will provide me with many new skills and abilities that I’ll be able to use throughout my career. I look forward to graduating from the scheme and contributing to the growth of the airline.”

The trainee engineers are studying on the airline’s Technical Engineering Development Programme, which offers the opportunity for UAE Nationals to complete a Higher Diploma in Aviation Engineering Technology (Airframe and Aero engines or Avionics) at the Higher College of Technology (HCT) in Abu Dhabi.