Etihad’s team at Abu Dhabi International Airport has welcomed 157 talented Emirati nationals from across the UAE after they graduated from the Etihad UAE National Development Foundation Programme.

Women make up 107 of the graduates and 50 are men. Within the group, 96 were trainees with Etihad Airport Services (EAS) and 61 trained under the programme for Guest Services Agents (GSA).

Over the past year, the graduates have been guided through key aspects of airport operations in areas such as cargo, catering, the English language, business communication, computer skills, ground handling and guest services.

The newly qualified staff were presented with graduation certificates today during a special ceremony held at Etihad Airways Training Academy in Abu Dhabi in the presence of Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) board member, Mohamed Hareb Sultan Al Yousef.

Chris Youlten, managing director, Etihad Airport Services, said: “We wholeheartedly welcome our talented graduates into the Etihad Aviation Group family. This foundation programme is a central part of our strategy to recruit and create opportunities for Emirati talent, in line with the long-term vision of Etihad Aviation Group and our home of Abu Dhabi.”

Khaled Almehairbi, senior vice president, Etihad Airport Services Ground, said: “We are so proud of the newly qualified Emirati staff. These are people who might not otherwise have had this type of opportunity - and in return - they have overcome personal challenges and truly shone. They are being immediately deployed to operational roles to support our growing hub in Abu Dhabi.”
 
Other EAG staff present included Amani Al Hashmi, head of UAE National Development, Emiratisation; Jamal Eidha Mubarak Alameri, senior manager ground operations; Paul Haines, general manager EAS Catering and Alan Wright, senior manager cargo operations.

Two of the graduates - Mariam Ahmed Ameri and Abeer Masoud Abdalla Alnaqbi - were recognised for their exemplary commitment and dedication and received star performer awards.

Etihad Aviation Group employs over 3,000 Emiratis and runs more than 20 programmes to attract, train and develop UAE nationals in areas such as engineering, flight operations, management and at the all-female Al Ain Contact Centre. - TradeArabia News Service