DUBAI, The Emirates Group, which includes Emirates airline, dnata and other companies, joined the nation in celebrating the UAE and the contribution Emirates have made to the success of the organization.
“A strong supporter of Emiratisation since commencing operations in 1985, the Group has worked hard to recruit and retain UAE Nationals; providing them with the exciting opportunity to learn about and develop meaningful careers in aviation,” said Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman & chief executive of emirates airline and group. “With the continued support of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the development of the Emirates Group as a leading aviation organization continues. With millions of durhams invested every year in the development of Emirates, their role will further expand going forward; making the Emirates Group the example of what a successful airline and travel services company should be.”
Though Emirates has a multicultural workforce, hiring UAE Nationals provides the continuity between Emirates and the UAE culture; bringing the UAE culture to each of the 126 destinations Emirates serves worldwide.
With 190 aircraft currently in service, Emirates estimates approximately 33 aircraft will be added to the fleet in this fiscal year with one per month being an A380. It is due to this rapid expansion in fleet size and destinations – Emirates will have added 15 new destinations in 2012 by the end of December – that more staff are needed. The Emirates Group has announced plans to provide 750 jobs for Emirate Nationals during the current financial year across various departments.
The Emirates Group has increased the number of recruited UAE Nationals since 2008 into 40 percent. Growing number of Emiratis, which make up 7% of the Group’s demographic, are seeking careers with the Group; joining other UAE Nationals who make up 24 percent of Emirates' senior management, plus 11 per cent of its Cockpit crew and 9 per cent of Aircraft Licensed Engineers and Mechanics.
Over 2,151 UAE Nationals currently employed by the Group are supported by the 37-staff national recruitment and development department and aided by an AED 60 million training budget. The department conducts road shows, hosts school visits, invites participants for summer training, work placements, internships, and partakes in the annual UAE career fair.
The Emirates Group continues to be the employer of choice in Dubai and, in addition to roles in management, positions which are sought-after by Emirates include:
Engineering, providing the training to become certified Engineers, over 395 Emirate men and women have graduated from the National Aircraft Engineering program and now work as specialists in the repair and maintenance of aircraft. In addition, Emirates and Rolls Royce have partnered together for the 'Learning and Career Development Centre' which is open only to UAE national managers and teaches them techniques to build an effective team, manage resources, plus teaches finance, airline strategy, competitiveness and marketing principles.
Pilots, since 1992, the National Cadet Pilot Program, has trained over 215 Emirati men and women to be commercial pilots; taking Emirates Boeing and Airbus family of aircraft, including the A380, to the skies. 165 UAE Nationals are currently undergoing training at the Emirates Aviation College in Dubai and the Flight Training facility in Spain. Beginning in 2014, Emirates plans to open the Flight Training Academy, Emirates’ dedicated flight training center located at Dubai World Central Airport, meeting the Cadet’s professional and personal requirements in a facility.
Cabin Crew, there is a focus this year on inviting Emirates to join the Emirates Cabin Crew role. With an emphasis on the warm hospitality of the UAE, the Cabin Crew role provides the opportunity for Emirate men and women to act as ambassadors of the distinct Emirate culture abroad. High achievers from the Cabin Crew role and Cabin Crew Training role have progressed to join the Emirates headquarters team as Cabin Crew Managers.
Operations and dnata, dnata and the Group have recruited 215 UAE Nationals to provide the required language and hospitality needed to welcome Emirates passengers to Dubai, so that Emirates traveling on Emirates will be able to interact with their fellow citizens and experience true Emirate culture.
The Emirates Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Emirates National Development Program (ENDP) to encourage career development for high school graduates which will address the need for operational staff; such as pilots, cabin crew, engineering and airport services. Furthermore, the Group has conducted road shows in conjunction with the Ministry of Education to schools across the UAE to invite high achievers to join Emirates across a variety of technical, managerial, and hospitality functions. Under the patronage of His Highness Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman & Chief Executive Emirates Airline & Group, the Group announced earlier this year that it will expand hiring to encompass unlimited, qualified UAE candidates.
Working for the Emirates Group allows UAE Nationals to represent a global brand from the UAE and also allows them to share their national tradition with non-Emirates. Thus, the opportunity to share in the UAE National Day, at an organization like the Emirates Group, where its 60,000 employees of over 120 nationalities can share in the cultural heritage of the UAE, is truly something to celebrate.
