Abu Dhabi Airports has exceeded its targets for Emiratisation in 2015 with 50 per cent of its workforce now UAE nationals with the number of Emiratis in higher management positions reaching 82 per cent.

The announcement came on the sidelines of Tawdheef, the leading recruitment event for UAE nationals, held under the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development.

Abu Dhabi Airports remains committed to Emiratisation and its objective to be an employer of choice for Emiratis and has developed its National Development Programme (NDP) for employing and training UAE graduates.  The program is delivered over an 18 – 24 month period and focuses on enabling candidates to obtain practical experience and occupational skills. This is done by placing them in various departments and monitoring their progress through a structured assessment system. 

“We see the future of the aviation industry as tied to the future of the nation, and are committed to support the growth of both,” said Ali Majed Al Mansoori, chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports. “Aviation will play a significant role in the diversification of the economy, as outlined in Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision 2030. It is therefore imperative to develop national expertize and workforce within the industry to deliver sustainable growth.”

A total of 86 UAE nationals enrolled in the NDP in 2015, and 35 of them have now been confirmed as permanent employees of Abu Dhabi Airports. In addition, since the launch of Abu Dhabi Airports’ Stipend Programme in 2013, 63 students have enrolled in various universities and colleges across Abu Dhabi, with the objective of employing them in the company upon graduation.

“Our National Development Programme is a step in the right direction enabling us to exceed our targets and develop the human capital able to lead this dynamic industry well into the future”, Al Mansoori added. – TradeArabia News Service