396 graduate from Etihad’s Future Leaders Programme

Women comprise 45% of 305 Emirati graduates of 2017 batch

Atotal of 396 members of Etihad Aviation Group’s (EAG) Future Leaders Programme yesterday graduated as pilots, engineers, managers and administrators in a ceremony held at Zayed University.

Of these graduates, 305 are Emiratis, of whom 45 per cent are women.

Now in its 10th year, the Future Leaders Programme is an extensive two to three year course that aims to provide graduates with employment with EAG. To date, over 2,600 graduates, including 2,233 Emiratis have started their careers at EAG.

“Our people are the heart of our business and it gives me enormous pride to see these talented individuals graduate and launch their careers within EAG. This generation will advance Etihad and advance global aviation and will reinforce the Abu Dhabi’s position as a key player in the aviation industry,” said Mohammad Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazroui, chairman of the EAG.

Ray Gammell, EAG interim chief executive officer, said the new graduates were now ready for successful careers with the company. “Today’s ceremony marks the moment when the aviation industry gains 100 technical engineers, 89 first officers, and 207 aviation management and administration professionals.

“That’s 181 women and 215 men, trained here in Abu Dhabi, that are now equipped to start exciting careers.

“As you celebrate your success today, remember that this is only the beginning; learning never stops, and you are now a driving force behind Etihad and the UAE’s progress,” he added.

Mohammad Hanif Hassan, a graduate from the sales programme, said that he was looking forward to his new career with Etihad.