As part of its UAE national development strategy, Etihad Airways has posted two of its Emirati graduate engineers to Geneva, Switzerland, to undergo on-the-job (OTJ) training with Etihad Regional, operated by Darwin Airline.
The two graduate engineers, Hamed Alredha and Ahmed Haisan, will spend three months at Etihad Regional's maintenance facility in Geneva Airport, learning the daily engineering checks and inspections, and fault repairs for the airline's aircraft systems and cabins.
Both trainees will work on the Swiss-based carrier's Saab 2000 turboprop aircraft, alongside and under the supervision of top Etihad Regional engineers.
Etihad Airways' Chief Operations Officer, Richard Hill, said: "Etihad Airways is committed to developing skilled and qualified Emirati engineers who will play a pivotal role in maintaining the safety and efficiency of the airline's fleet.
"We are very proud of our young UAE national trainees and are confident the new group will make good use of this opportunity to gain valuable international exposure and learn to operate in various work environments."
Hamed and Ahmed successfully completed the airline's Technical Engineering Development Program from the Higher Colleges of Technology in Abu Dhabi. The program allows trainees to obtain an engineering licence in airframe and engines or a licence in aviation engineering technology, which are accredited by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the Ministry of Higher Education.
Upon completion of their academic qualifications, the trainees undergo 24 months of OTJ training with Etihad Airways Engineering to complete the GCAA practical requirements. During this time, the trainees are posted to various sections of Etihad Airways Engineering such as light/heavy and line maintenance facilities. They also have to complete a specialised aircraft type course to become fully licenced Airbus or Boeing aircraft engineers.
The trainees are chosen after extensive assessments, and once qualified, will become part of Etihad Airways Engineering, the airline's technical division at the dedicated aircraft line maintenance facility at Abu Dhabi airport.
Hamed Alredha, one of the graduate engineers currently undergoing on-the-job training, said: "Being part of the training has been a challenging but rewarding experience. The support we receive from Etihad Airways' management is phenomenal, and we are extremely grateful to receive these world-class learning and development opportunities."
Ahmed Haisan said: "Today's aviation industry is very demanding and competitive. But I firmly believe that this training program equips us with the right skills and knowledge to contribute to the ongoing efficiency and safety of the national airline of the UAE."
Etihad Airways' Technical Engineering Development Program, which currently has over 200 students, prepares young UAE nationals for positions with the airline's technical division, where they have access to its state-of-the-art facilities and work on one of the most modern fleets in the world.
-Ends-
About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and in 2014 carried 14.8 million passengers. From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to 111 existing or announced passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of 116 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and more than 200 aircraft on firm order, including 69 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777-X, 62 Airbus A350s and eight Airbus A380s.
Etihad Airways holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Aer Lingus, Alitalia, Jet Airways and Virgin Australia, and is in the process of formalising an equity investment in Swiss-based Etihad Regional, operated by Darwin Airline. Etihad Airways, along with airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Etihad Regional, Jet Airways and NIKI, also participate in Etihad Airways Partners, a new brand that brings together like-minded airlines to offer customers more choice through improved networks and schedules and enhanced frequent flyer benefits. For more information, please visit: www.etihad.com
For more information contact:
Asif Khan, Etihad Airways Corporate Communications
Dir: +971 (0) 2 511 1543
Mob: +971 50 812 1364
Email: AsifK@etihad.ae
© Press Release 2015
