The course is designed to provide the students with the core competencies needed to become composite aircraft technicians and forms part of a longer 22 month program of study that includes on the job training at Strata, Mubadala Aerospace’s advanced composite aerostructures plant in Al Ain.

Of the 62 students graduating, 60 are women and two are men; “evidence” Homaid Al Shemmari, Executive Director of Mubadala Aerospace says, “of the growing interest - and belief - in the aerospace industry in Al Ain and the emirate of Abu Dhabi”.

Al Shemmari continued: “Strata lies at the heart of what will be one of the largest and most important aerospace hubs in the world. The young people graduating today are the aerospace industry leaders of tomorrow and I am very proud of what they have achieved and look forward to their future successes in the aerospace industry”.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Ross Bradley, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Strata said: “These young people have worked extremely hard to be here today and their efforts are to be congratulated. They [the graduates] are the future of the aerospace industry in Abu Dhabi; one of the most exciting, rewarding and fastest growing industries in the UAE.

In line with its commitment to Economic Vision 2030, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi Executive Council has committed to fund further training and development programs at Strata aimed at supporting Strata’s 50% UAE nationals target. 

Strata is a leading employer of UAE nationals in Al Ain. Currently, 33% of the work force are UAE nationals, with the company looking to increase this proportion to 50% by 2015. The Executive Council’s support of Strata will help as it strives to meet its nationalisation targets.

Al Shemmari and Bradley are both panellists at the forthcoming Global Aerospace Summit in Abu Dhabi which is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates. 

The Global Aerospace Summit incorporates high-level discussions on Future Aviation, Future Aerospace and Future Space. These interactive panel-led discussions are only open to a select group of Chairmen, CEOs and industry leaders, and demonstrates Abu Dhabi’s growing commitment and interest in the Aerospace industry.

Unlike other aviation and aerospace events, the summit has been developed with education and career development being a central proposition. A strategically-focused careers program for the summit has been created and will be attended by the region’s top-100 students from leading universities and colleges.

Source: Mubadala Aerospace