Etihad welcomes sixth and seventh class of graduate managers

Etihad Airways has welcomed its sixth and seventh groups of Emirati graduate managers, who have commenced training at the airline’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi.

The two groups of 21 Emiratis, 14 male and seven female, have come to Etihad from all corners of the UAE and will undertake a 21-month training graduate management development program (GMDP). This involves a nine-month workplace orientation in key Etihad departments, followed by a six month placement with a specified team. Their last phase involves a business-based project.

James Hogan, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “At Etihad Airways, our priority is to develop UAE national talent, ensuring that all our Emirati trainees are fully prepared to take on senior roles across our expanding network.

“Our Emiratisation program continues to expand at an extraordinary pace. Over the next 21 months, these two groups of talented young UAE nationals will learn vital information about Etihad and the airline industry from various departments in Etihad. Our previous GMDP groups have been successfully deployed in positions across our expanding network and are an ideal example for our new GMDP groups to follow.”

The GMDP training involves a combination of classroom learning and hands-on experience. The work placements include outstation airport operations, customer service, sales and marketing, reservations, pricing and ticketing, network and schedule planning, finance and human resources.

Upon successful completion of the program, the graduates will attain an internationally recognised and accredited post graduate diploma.

Asma Abu Baker Al Jailani, a member of Etihad’s sixth group of GMDP trainees, said: “I am really excited to join Etihad’s GMDP program. It is a great opportunity for all of us to work and learn in such a professional work environment. The program is an excellent building block for our careers and future in the airline industry.”

The Etihad Airways Emiratisation Program offers a wide range of training opportunities for UAE nationals. The airline also offers an English language training program, cadet pilot scheme and a technical engineering development program as well as the graduate management development program to UAE nationals. Etihad also recently launched a call centre in Al Ain, managed and operated by only UAE national women.

The sixth GMDP group members are

Rashid Omar

Saad Al Omaira

Adel Al Maghrebi

Shuaib Al Ali

Hasan Al Hashemi

Majed Al Neaimi

Hassan Al Yousuf

Mohammad Al Sarkal

Mohamed Yahia Madour

Fatma Al Meharii

Ahlam Al Marzouqui

Fahad Al Hosani

The seventh GMDP group members are:       

Khalaf Al Shehhi

Marwan Al Raeesi

Mohannad Al Shehhi

Hisham Omar Saleh

Fatima Al Hashemi

Shaima Ismail Lari

Asma Al Jailani

Noor Al Ramahi

Hessa Mohamed Ali