Absher initiative sees success at Etihad

Etihad Airways has welcomed more than 260 Emirati nationals to its workforce through the Absher initiative, since its launch in June 2012.
The Absher initiative was conceived by UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan to support Emiratization and create new jobs for skilled Emiratis in the UAE labor market.
To ensure implementation of the Absher initiative is in line with the UAE President’s vision, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, monitors developments closely.
Etihad Airways is renowned as one of the country’s leading employers and has been widely praised for its Emiratization recruitment strategy.
The strategy offers Emiratis exciting and world-class training, in addition to highly attractive career prospects, across the global business.
Roles are diverse, including graduate managers, cadet pilots, technical engineers, sales managers, guest service agents, contact center agents and airport operations managers.
As a result, Emiratis now comprise 22.4 percent of Etihad Airways’ core workforce, with more than 1,250 UAE nationals employed across the airline’s seven divisions.
In line with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in June 2012 with the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Etihad Airways hopes to recruit an additional 1500 Emirati citizens to its global team over the next five years.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ president and CEO, said: “Our mandate includes introducing new opportunities in the UAE aviation sector for Emiratis, specifically in Abu Dhabi. We have made huge strides, been widely praised for our efforts, and are looking forward to supporting ever more UAE nationals across the business.”
Mona Walid, vice president, talent acquisition, Etihad Airways, said: “We are proud to take Emiratization in the work place to new heights. Our innovative training courses and programs are designed to ensure UAE nationals can take on roles in all aspects of the airline’s operation.”