This involves a six-month workplace orientation in key Etihad departments, followed by eight months of workplace learning with a specified team.

Their last phase involves a business-based project.

Successful graduates will attain an internationally recognized and accredited post-graduate diploma.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways chief executive, said: "As the national airline of the UAE, and as part of our support of the Abu Dhabi 2030 plan, we are committed to training and developing a national work force of skilled and motivated Emiratis."

Hogan added: "Our Emiratization 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."

The Graduate Manager Program is designed to train and develop managers who will play a key part in the growth of Etihad Airways and is part of its highly successful Emiratization scheme.

This also includes an aircraft maintenance engineering program, a contact center program and one for cadet pilots. Etihad Airways recently launched a call center in Al-Ain, managed and operated by only UAE national women. Around 114 graduate managers have joined the GMDP since it first started in 2007. By the end of 2011, more than 20 percent of Etihad's core work force will be UAE nationals.