Etihad signs MOU with Abu Dhabi Vocational Educational and training institure

Etihad Airways and the Vocational Education Development Centre (VEDC) have recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to provide career development opportunities for UAE nationals.

Under the agreement, Etihad will sponsor 20 VEDC students annually and offer them employment opportunities upon their completion of the program. VEDC, which is a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Vocational and Training Institute (ADVETI), has specifically devised a curriculum for the Etihad sponsored students tailored to meet the needs of Etihad Airways.

The sponsored students will also undertake a rigorous eight week work placement training program at Etihad.

Ray Gammell, Etihad Airways’ chief people and performance officer, said: “Our partnership with the Vocational Education Development Centre will greatly assist us in our drive to develop a cadre of competent UAE nationals with the professional skills to meet Etihad’s rapidly growing needs.

“As the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, we are delighted to attract experienced Emiratis from the market place and we are also committed to supporting and developing young UAE nationals, both men and women, and ensuring they are ready to take on roles at all levels,” he added.

Etihad Airways has various Emiratisation programs and initiatives that aim to make it the preferred employer for UAE nationals and offer them the chance to build a career in the aviation industry.

Etihad’s Emiratisation program currently has 271 UAE national trainees deployed across the airline, including 146 cadet pilots, 70 graduate managers and 55 technical engineers.