Etihad Expands Emiratisation Program In 2010

Etihad Airways will step up its efforts to recruit skilled, experienced UAE nationals for senior roles in the company throughout 2010, building on the considerable progress of its Emiratisation program over the past three years.

The Chief Executive Officer of Etihad, James Hogan, said: “Following the incredible success we have had attracting high calibre Emiratis for trainee roles within the company – such as cadet pilots and graduate managers – we are deepening our strategy to include more direct hires of trained professionals. Our target is to have 75 per cent of our new Emirati employees drawn from this talent pool.

“Direct hire Emirati professionals can expect to work in areas as diverse as top level management within the UAE and senior managerial roles in Etihad outstations across our expanding network.”

Etihad’s Emiratisation program has more than 150 UAE national trainees deployed across the airline, including 102 cadet pilots, 30 graduate managers and 30 technical engineers

The total percentage of UAE nationals working for Etihad Airways is currently 12 per cent of the measured workforce and the target for 2010 is 15 per cent.

Mr Hogan said: “As the national airline of the UAE, Etihad Airways recognises its responsibility to pioneer employment opportunities for experienced Emiratis in the airline industry.

“With our new recruitment strategy in 2010, we are anticipating a substantial number of top Emirati talent joining Etihad and bringing on board their unique skills and knowledge for the benefit of the airline.”

Etihad will open a new UAE National Career Centre this year to receive, assess, and recruit potential Emirati candidates at Etihad Airways. The centre will also offer career counselling and will oversee various recruitment campaigns in universities, colleges and career fairs across the UAE.

A new three month training program will also be offered this year to prepare Emiratis for positions in Etihad’s retail sales outlets across the country. The program is a new addition to the existing wide range of career opportunities for UAE nationals offered at Etihad through training programs including; a cadet pilot scheme; a technical engineering development program; and a graduate management development program.

To increase career opportunities for Emirati women in Al Ain, a new call centre will be launched in 2010, offering over 80 call operator and managerial positions to UAE nationals.

View News Headlines