ADAC announces 50% Emiratisation targets

Abu Dhabi Airports’ sustained commitment to Emiratisation is part of its vision to be an employer of choice for Emiratis. In order to reach this target, Abu Dhabi Airports is offering 100 scholarships within UAE universities and colleges alongside 50 jobs in its firefighting and administration departments, and a further 50 entries within its National Training Program “Al Eqla’a”.

H.E. Ali Majed Al Mansoori, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “It has been a top priority for Abu Dhabi Airports to play its part in the UAE government’s ABSHER initiative for the training and employment of UAE nationals, a key component of Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision 2030. We recognize the importance of implementing systems, training procedures and career plans to ensure that the right Emiratis end up in the right jobs and in the right levels of the organization. We are excited to offer these opportunities to targeted UAE talents and believe it will play a major role in breeding the next generation of aviation professionals.”

In 2011, the proportion of Emiratis working for Abu Dhabi Airports out of total staff was 24%. By the end of 2014, that figure had risen to 43.5%, exceeding internal targets set for the year, and executive management alone recorded 65% nationalization. In order to continue the growth in numbers and meet the training demands of Emirati youth, the National Training Program “Al Eqla’a was launched in October 2013 to develop Emirati college and university graduates as airport professionals, providing them with vital skills and enabling them to work in critical roles in Abu Dhabi Airports. This is the first airport apprentice training programme of its type in the region and the only one so far implemented in an airport environment, which has enrolled 60 UAE nationals since its launch.

The programme is delivered over an 18 – 24 month period and falls into five phases: pre-selection, foundation, business orientation, function identification and specialization with specific training. It focuses on critical practical experience alongside traditional classroom based training. Employees in Eqla’a programme are given trainee job titles and upon completion of the programme, employees will be confirmed in the respective grades appropriate for their jobs and qualifications in Abu Dhabi Airports.

The 100 scholarships offered by Abu Dhabi Airports during Tawdheef 2015 are available to competitive applicants with study opportunities within selected UAE universities and colleges and guaranteed jobs upon graduation to fulfil the manpower requirements for the Midfield Terminal project.

H.E. Al Mansoori commented further: “Abu Dhabi Airports is proud to play an important part in promoting the industry to the potential aviators of the future and firing up their enthusiasm. The excellent programs described above will continue to develop and deliver in 2015. In addition, the increasingly diverse portfolio of courses offered at GCAS is enabling industry professionals and juniors from all around the region to benefit from its advanced and highly sophisticated courses. Levels of interest continue to be high and there is every reason to be confident that our targets will continue to be achieved and delivered.”