ABU DHABI // Etihad Airways has announced plans to add more than 6,000 Emiratis to its ranks over the next five years.
Nationals will fill a range of jobs, from pilots to accountants, aviation engineers and managers.
The carrier said it would build on relationships with government agencies and universities to offer recruits “a long and rewarding career in the airline business”.
“Etihad Airways is renowned as one of the country’s leading employers,” said Ray Gammell, Etihad’s chief people and performance officer.
“We have been widely praised and recognised for our UAE national development strategy and providing our Emirati workforce with fantastic opportunities for development and progression.
“Collaborations and partnerships with national educational institutions continue to play an important part in our efforts at recruiting, retaining and developing our UAE national workforce.
“As a result, UAE nationals are now the No 1 nationality group in the airline, as well as No 1 nationality group at our manager and higher management levels.”
Etihad’s recent Emiratisation drives include the launch of a two-year graduate finance development programme, which prepares Emirati trainees for careers in financial accounting.
Future programmes will be launched in government affairs, network planning, and properties and logistics, to broadly cover all aspects of the aviation business.
In another programme, conducted with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Etihad sponsors and hires Emiratis studying abroad.
It has sponsored 32 students in the US, with three graduates joining the company since 2013.
Ahmed Al Jeneibi, a recruit and one of the graduates sponsored by Etihad, was introduced to the airline at the 2013 UAE Student Conference in Washington DC.
Mr Al Jeneibi said he had been impressed by the recruitment team and opportunities on offer.
“As a political science graduate, I chose to expand my experience by working in a politically oriented department within Etihad Airways and I joined the Department of Government and Aeropolitical Affairs,” he said.
“I am grateful to Etihad Airways for investing in me and look forward to progressing even further among the airline ranks.”
The carrier also collaborates with Abu Dhabi University to offer a five-year bachelor’s degree in aviation science.
Programmes in engineering are offered with the Higher Colleges of Technologies and Al Ain International Aviation Academy.
Under the Absher initiative, the airline has followed through on a 2012 pledge to recruit 1,500 Emiratis within five years, with 900 joining the company since then.
One hundred and ninety Emiratis who started their careers in Etihad’s development programmes have taken jobs in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas, the company said.
Recruits can also be put on assignment with one of the carrier’s partner airlines.
“We have made huge strides and are looking forward to forging new partnerships to support more UAE nationals across the business, and significantly increase our Emirati representation year on year,” Mr Gammell said.
esamoglou@thenational.ae
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Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
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Sector: E-commerce
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Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
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Sector: Water technology
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
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Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox
“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite
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“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra
French Touch
Carla Bruni
(Verve)
