The sky is anything but the limit for young Emiratis, who are being encouraged to consider a career in the aviation industry.
The General Civil Aviation Authority is celebrating the graduation of two Emirati air-traffic controllers, the state news agency, Wam, reported yesterday.
Hamad Al Braiki and Thani Al Karimi have qualified to work at Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Centre in Abu Dhabi, which is responsible for managing UAE airspace.
The pair have undergone two-and-a-half years of training, with theoretical and intensive practical learning, including 800 hours of hands-on experience.
The authority "has been keen on developing an integrated programme of Emiratisation since 1998, which resulted in 100 per cent Emiratisation of managerial positions and the recruitment of 30 UAE nationals working as air-traffic controllers and 16 trainees at various stages of the training programme," said Saif Al Suwaidi, its director general.
Ahmed Al Jallaf, the executive director of Air Navigation Services, said the civil aviation authority was constantly looking to attract Emiratis to fill vacant positions in the industry and had launched a campaign to promote air-traffic control as a career.
