Twin initiatives to make young Emiratis high flyers in aviation

Two separate initiatives aimed at boosting Emirati expertise across the aviation industry were launched yesterday.

Both Mubadala Aerospace and the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) signed memorandums of understanding for the training of Emirati youths intent on making a career in aerospace.

The Mubadala initiative involves Advanced Military Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Centre (Ammroc) and Turbine Services & Solutions (TS&S), both part of Mubadala Aerospace, working with the Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute (Adveti) to sponsor training programmes for UAE nationals.

The two separate programmes will sponsor 130 youths for this academic year, with the number increasing steadily over the next five years.

Sponsored students from secondary technical schools and the Vocational Education Development Centre will be taught engineering skills to help fill the increasing numbers of job opportunities in the growing aerospace and engineering sectors.

Under their agreement with Adveti, Ammroc, which is the UAE's centre of excellence for the delivery of military maintenance, repair and overhaul services, will sponsor about 100 students a year, with the majority studying aviation maintenance for two years at Adveti.

Upon completion, they will enrol in the Al Ain International Aviation Academy for a further year to receive a diploma, or two years to earn a higher diploma, with continued sponsorship, internships and on-the-job training.

Ammroc will then provide all graduates with full-time employment, with continued structured training and support, including soft-skills training, technical training, coaching, mentoring, English-language courses, corporate social responsibility, secondments and special assignments.

"Our partnership with Adveti will greatly assist us in our drive to develop an ambitious group of UAE nationals equipped with the professional skills needed to meet our rapidly growing requirements, as Ammroc continues to expand its capacity as a military service provider," said Colonel Fahad Al Shamsi, the chief executive of Ammroc.

"We are proud to provide sponsorship and career opportunities that will help Emirati students reach their full potential and excel in the aerospace industry through practical training."

The agreement between the GCAA and Emirates Aviation College (EAC) is for the training of national candidates working in the local civil aviation industry to achieve objectives related to Emiratisation of the industry.

"The signing of this MoU reflects the determination of the GCAA and EAC to support the training of local candidates specialised in the field of civil aviation in order to keep up with the rapidly advancing civil aviation industry," said Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, the director general of GCAA.

"The new MoU will lead to the creation of new internships dedicated for both male and female Emiratis over the next five years to encourage aspiring aviators to follow their career," said Ahmad Al Ali, the vice chancellor at EAC.

The initiatives will also benefit the oil and gas industries. Adveti and TS&S, the Middle East's leading service provider for industrial gas turbines and part of Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies, will be providing technical training in gas turbine mechanical fitting, testing and inspection for 10 students each year, for the next two years, with graduates being offered jobs with TS&S.

"This partnership with Adveti allows our organisation to help create a training course that will equip young Emirati graduates with the skills necessary to join a highly qualified work force that will contribute to TS&S's vision of becoming the preferred service provider for the local, regional and international oil and gas industries," said Ahmed Al Moosa, the chief executive of TS&S.

dblack@thenational.ae