Etihad Airways has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) in the UAE to provide its students with opportunities to develop skills for future careers in aviation.

The agreement between the Abu Dhabi-based airline and the higher education institution supports the development of the UAE national workforce by providing students with the skills and knowledge required to pursue a career in aviation engineering technology.

A signing ceremony for the MOU took place recently at the Al Khazna Palace in Abu Dhabi between His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Higher Education and Scientific Research Minister and Chancellor of the HCT, and James Hogan, Etihad Airways chief executive.

HH Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan said: “This new agreement will play an important part in the development of the national workforce in the field of aviation. Etihad Airways has established itself as a leading global company and the partnership with the HCT will be mutually beneficial to both organisations and in the long term the UAE as a whole.”

At the forefront will be work placements by HCT students with Etihad that will take place during their courses. Specialist seminars and workshops in areas such as engineering, business administration, hospitality and human resource management will also be offered to the students.

Mr Hogan said: “Etihad Airways is fully committed to the development of UAE national talent within the airline and this new agreement with the Higher Colleges of Technology will enable both organisations to achieve their goals which are to have a strong UAE national workforce.”

Etihad Airways launched its innovative Emiratisation scheme in 2007 which now boasts four streams: the cadet pilot programme, graduate management development programme and the contact centre.

Among the many aims of the Emiratisation scheme is that 15 per cent of Etihad’s workforce will be Emirati nationals by 2012.

Etihad Airways was honoured by the renowned Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council last month for its commitment to promoting Emiratisation across the company.