MEBA keeping eyes open for future aviation stars

Nearly 500 undergraduates from five local universities and further education establishments - Emirates Aviation College, Wollongong University, American University in Sharjah, Canadian University, and the Higher Colleges of Technology - have been invited to attend Futures Day, which will see a range of compelling topics covered hosted by companies such as Airbus, Dassault and XJet; discussing career opportunities and other background to those looking to start working in the sector. 

Ali Al Naqbi, founding chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), said: “There's never been a more exciting time to join this industry, when it is rapidly growing across the region; when more and more leading players are setting up operations here; and when there is a great need for talented graduates to get into the aviation sector, which requires thousands of new recruits across all disciplines simply to maintain current growth rates. 

"As MEBA is now the largest gathering of business and private aviation companies in the whole region, we want to encourage exhibitors to engage with their future talent. It's a chance for upcoming industry leaders to interact closely with potential future employees. The demand that the industry is facing in the near future will force us as an association to work closely with the governments and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to provide scholarships for the young students. The future day is one of the first steps that the association is taking to introduce young students to the business aviation industry.” 

“Exhibitors can invite the student contingent to visit their stands and aircraft; and we hope those taking part will provide helpful information to those students who will become the business aviation professionals of the near future.”