Etihad Airways has signed a MoU with the Institute of Applied Technology (IAT) at the Dubai Air Show which aims to provide students with opportunities to build successful future careers with the airline.

The agreement supports the development of the UAE national workforce by providing students with the skills and knowledge required to pursue a career in aviation engineering technology, said a Etihad official.

'The MoU covers a range of elements, including the development of training schemes, on-the-job training, joint arketing initiatives and the development of academic curriculums. Ultimately, it is hoped that students will develop careers within Etihad, including as cadet pilots or engineers.'

Dr Abdullatif Al Shamsi, IAT director general, and Etihad Airways chief executive, James Hogan signed the agreement.

Dr Al Shamsi said, 'The Institute of Applied Technology is committed to providing UAE nationals with an innovative, career-based technology education system, ultimately leading to the best career development opportunities for our students.'

'IAT’s system of five high schools, a Logistics Academy, Aviation Academy and our Vocational Education Development Centre are uniquely resourced for such a partnership. Through signing this MoU, IAT is pleased to support Etihad’s Emiratisation goals by offering our graduates better access to employment opportunities throughout the airline, including the Cadet Pilot and Engineering programmes.'

“The MoU also provides a framework for IAT to ensure our varied curricula constantly aligns with Etihad’s strategic needs, as well as allowing us to extend our expertise in ongoing training for existing Etihad staff,” Dr Al Shamsi added.

Hogan said a key objective of the Emiratisation programme is 'to source high calibre Emiratis to help develop our own business and at the same time play a key role in the nation’s development.'

“This exciting new partnership will help us recruit Emirati nationals, equipped with the specialist technological and scientific skills to help realise our ambitious expansion plans. We look forward to recruiting greater numbers of UAE nationals to the airline, particularly our technical and cargo divisions,” he added.

Etihad continues to build its Emiratisation employment schemes which now boast more than 168 participants across cadet pilot, management trainee, technical engineering and contact centre programmes. Among the many aims of the Emiratisation scheme is that 15 per cent of Etihad’s workforce will be Emirati nationals by 2012.

The cadet pilot scheme began in June 2007 and has already taken its eleventh intake of cadets.

The programme includes the first-ever Emirati female cadet pilots - Salma Mohammed Al-Baloushi, from Al Ain, and Aisha Hassan Al-Mansouri, from Khorfakkan - who joined the programme with 10 male cadets in October 2007.-TradeArabia News Service