Dubai, November 12th, 2015: Emirates Defence Industries Company (EDIC), the national defence manufacturing and services platform, is taking an intelligent approach to increasing the number of UAE Nationals in key roles in the organisation, a senior executive announced today.

The company, which operates businesses ranging from aircraft maintenance to military vehicles manufacturing, was established last year with the aim of integrating 16 companies into a single platform. One of the aims of the integration was to create a new national defence industry champion that could offer dynamic career opportunities to UAE Nationals.

EDIC is seeking to increase the numbers of highly-qualified Emiratis in technical and managerial roles as the organisation seeks to build national capabilities in engineering, project management and technology development.

"We focus on the quality of the roles and the people we attract to EDIC," said Director of Human Resources, Laila Saif. "We need to increase the transfer of knowledge to the UAE, so it is vital that we have qualified Emiratis in technical and managerial roles."

"More than three-quarters of our Emirati work force are employed in technical and managerial roles, and we are committed to giving diversified and rich career opportunities to UAE Nationals," Laila Saif said. "We want to be the employer of choice for high-skilled Emiratis interested in a career in a high-technology industry."

Luc Vigneron, Chief Executive Officer of EDIC, said: "As a new national champion for the defence industry, we are continuing to focus on recruiting Emiratis into our businesses, to develop them to be the leaders of this industry in the future." 

To achieve this goal, Luc Vigneron said: "EDIC and its subsidiaries are seeking partners to develop attractive programmes and opportunities to recent UAE graduates or those interested in changing industries, such as the new partnership between our own Global Aerospace Logistics (GAL) and US-based Spartan College of Aeronautics announced this week at the Dubai Airshow."

The agreement between GAL and Spartan College will see the launch of a new training programme designed specifically for UAE Nationals - whether prospective GAL employees or UAE Armed Forces personnel - the opportunity to pursue either aviation maintenance or electronics at the world's leading aviation maintenance training institution while also receiving an industry-first technical English course.

About Emirates Defence Industries Company
EDIC is the region's premier integrated national defence services and manufacturing platform, providing world-class facilities, technology and support services. The company brings together the combined capabilities of the UAE's defence industries into a single integrated platform to enhance value for our clients, shareholders, partners and other stakeholders.  

EDIC's companies include: Advanced Military Repair Overhaul Centre (AMMROC), Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investment (ADASI), Al Taif Technical Services, Bayanat for Mapping and Surveying Services, Burkan Munitions Systems, C4 Advanced Solutions, Caracal International, Caracal Light Ammunition, Global Aerospace Logistics, Horizon International Flight Academy, Naval Advanced Solutions, NIMR Automotive, Tawazun Dynamics, Tawazun Precision Industries, Secure Communications and Thales Advanced Solutions. 

To find out more about EDIC's presence at DAS 2015, please visit our stand at 700.

© Press Release 2015