Filling the skill gap
To fill the demand for skilled manpower, GMR Aviation Academy has decided to expand its horizons. talks to PS Nair, CEO- Corporate, Airport Sector GMR Airports to know more...
RATAN KR PAUL “We
had an immediate objective of providing professional training and enhancing the knowledge and skill-set, predominantly of GMR Airports personnel,” said Nair. The focus was to address the technical competency gaps, minimise dependence on external vendors in designing various training programmes and providing talented manpower for the global aviation industry, especially for Asia-Pacific region. Within a very short span of time the academy has emerged as a global gateway for aviation learning, thanks to its accreditation by world-renowned aviation bodies like ACI, IATA, ICAO, DGCA and BCAS.
GMR Aviation Academy has already started offering training to fresh students as well as industry professionals. It is also planning to tie up with many renowned universities that have excelled in aviation studies. “As a significant agreement, about 3500 AISATS people from Passenger Service and Ramp Service disciplines are being trained We have also recently signed an MoU with Celebi ground handling in Delhi to train about 500 of their employees in DGR,” informed Nair. In view of the increasing demand from the industry including airlines and travel agents GMR Aviation Academy has decided to further intensify its initiatives for the industry.
Nair asserted that GMR Aviation Academy is known for its professional standards and an ideal training centre for students and professionals of airports, airlines, cargo, safety, security, travel agencies, tour operators, other airport service providers and corporate aviation. The academy has its own distinctive advantage of utilising the airport facilities for hands- on practical experience for the course participants. It plans to amalgate the GMR managed Asia-Pacific Flight Training Academy for pilot training. It has already acquired three Diamond DA 40 aircraft for pilot training. “We have a strong faculty for catering to all aspects of the aviation, travel & tourism and air cargo industry. Depending on the nature of training, we also depute our faculty members to the clients’ premises to conduct training,” Nair added.
GMR Aviation Academy is an Authorized Training Center (ATC) for various IATA and ACI professional courses. With its successful launch and completion of training for the first IATA batch, the Academy is now set to start the next batch. The ongoing training programmes include IATA (3month part-time) courses in travel & tourism, airport operations, cargo introductory course and DGR.