Etihad Airways is looking to recruit at least 200 Emirati graduates and school leavers this year, as part of its Emiratisation program.

The carrier was among more than 30 businesses actively recruiting the brightest young local talent at the Al Ain Education and Career Fair which concluded recently.

The airline is using the fair as part of a major recruitment drive for 2011, in which they are looking to bring on board the graduates and school-leavers to undertake their intensive training programmes, before going on to pursue careers within the organisation.  They will join the 520 Emiratis already employed at the company who comprise 13 per cent of the total number of employees.

The inaugural class of Emirati cadet pilots graduated from the Etihad Airways Cadet Pilot Programme at the Horizon International Flight Academy in Al Ain in 2009, and they are now among more than 160 Emirati pilots and cadet pilots at the UAE national airline. 

Three programmes were offered at the fair, where school-leavers and graduates learnt more information firsthand about the Cadet Pilot programme, the Graduate Management Development programme, and the Technical Engineering Development programme.

Fifty Emirati school leavers will be selected from a pool of between 300 and 400 applicants for the four year Cadet Pilot programme. The first two years of the programme will be held at the Abu Dhabi University while the final two years will be completed at the Horizon International Flight Academy. 

A further 50 undergraduate Emiratis will be selected for the 18-month Cadet Pilot programme; Etihad currently has 73 trainees already undergoing training.

“As the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, we are responsible for recruiting the highest calibre of UAE Nationals who will be able to continue Etihad’s vision throughout their years of employment,” said Dr Salwa Al Nuaimi, vice president Emirati Talent Acquisition at Etihad Airways.

“Finding talented Emirati nationals is a top priority for us, and our comprehensive Emiratisation programme and training programmes will help us achieve this”.

Graduates wishing to pursue a career in the aviation industry, but not in the sky itself, can opt for the 21-month Graduate Management Development programme at the Etihad Academy or the Technical Engineering Development programme, which is a four year degree instructed at the Abu Dhabi Men’s College. Etihad is currently recruiting 50 graduates for each programme.-TradeArabia News Service