Cameroon has welcomed its first intake of post-graduate aircraft maintenance and recycling students, as part of a plan to develop the African nation’s technical skills.
 
The nine-month course, which began on Nov. 14, marks the first university-level aviation training in Cameroon. Aviation professionals are normally trained by the Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority’s (CCAA) L'Ecole de Formation (EFO).
 
However, Cameroon President Paul Biya has led a push for the country’s universities to offer more professional training, leading to a partnership between CCAA and the University of Yaounde I that was agreed to in November 2021.
 
The specialized university certificate in aircraft maintenance and recycling is open to post-graduate students with existing degrees in mechanical, industrial, electrical or telecommunications engineering. CCAA said applicants went through a “rigorous” selection process, including written and oral tests.
 
During the first six months, theory and practical skills will be taught at EFO, followed by further practical training at the National Advanced School of Engineering in Yaounde (NASEY) and Yaounde Air Force Base 101. Then the students will perform a three-month civil aviation internship, applying their learning in the workplace.
 
CCAA director general Paule Assoumou Koki gave the inaugural course lecture, speaking about Cameroon’s air transport growth plans and 2020-30 national development strategy, which focuses on furthering local skills. In her speech, she talked about the “glaring” need for aircraft maintenance training.
 
Cameroon is looking to develop its air transport industry to support economic and social development. As part of their cooperation, CCAA and NASEY have also agreed to partner on training, scientific and technological research.
 
Since the CCAA created EFO in 2016, it has issued more than 4,500 professional qualifications. EFO now comprises three training centers: the ICAO AVSEC Regional Training Centre in Douala, the Yaounde Training Centre and The Garoua Training Centre.
 
CCAA is now aiming to position EFO as a center of excellence for African civil aviation training. In the short term, CCAA is planning to launch courses in air transport regulation, air transport economics, air transport company certification, airport certification, animal risk management and safety studies.