Abu Dhabi: A total of 396 members of Etihad Aviation Group’s (EAG) Future Leaders Programme on Monday graduated as pilots, engineers, managers and administrators in a ceremony held at Zayed University.
Of thes graduates, 305 are Emiratis, of which 45 per cent are women.
Now in its 10th year, the Future Leaders Programme is an extensive two to three year course that aims to provide graduates with employment with EAG.
To date, over 2,600 graduates, including 2,233 Emiratis have started their careers at EAG thanks to the programme.
“Our people are the heart of our business and it gives me enormous pride to see these talented individuals graduate and launch their careers within EAG. This generation will advance Etihad and advance global aviation and will reinforce the Abu Dhabi’s position as a key player in the aviation industry,” said Mohammad Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazroui, chairman of the EAG.
“The past 10 years of the Future Leaders Programme embodies the vision of the father of this nation, Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and is evidence of the opportunities available across the UAE for current and future generations,” he added.
Ray Gammell, EAG interim chief executive officer, said the new graduates were now ready for successful careers with the company.
“Today’s ceremony marks the moment when the aviation industry gains 100 technical engineers, 89 first officers, and 207 aviation management and administration professionals. That’s 181 women and 215 men, trained here in Abu Dhabi, that are now equipped to start exciting careers.
“As you celebrate your success today, remember that this is only the beginning; learning never stops, and you are now a driving force behind Etihad and the UAE’s progress,” he added.
Mohammad Hanif Hassan, a graduate from the sales programme, said that he was looking forward to his new career with Etihad.
“As we celebrate our success today we need to remember that we are now embarking on the next phase of our careers; a phase where our efforts will be essential to Etihad’s growth.
“We must take on new responsibilities; we must keep learning; and always keep in mind the investment Etihad has made in us,” he added.
