Sky high careers on the radar for tourism youth summer camp students

Young nationals enrolled in Abu Dhabi's annual Tourism Youth Summer Camp series - a programme organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) in conjunction with the European International College (EIC) - have been shown the intricacies of taking control of the latest passenger aircraft with a view to pursuing an airline industry career following a visit to the Etihad Airways' Training Academy. The class of 60 Emirati students participated in the fact-finding mission - boys and girls all aged between 15 and 17 - and were treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the IATA-accredited training academy with its state-of-the-art flight simulators, and to a briefing from Captain Naeem Alameri on the airline's Cadet Pilot Programme. Wissam Hachem, Etihad Airways' Vice President Training and Development, said, "Etihad Airways offers young Emiratis unprecedented opportunities to start a career in the exciting global aviation industry, whether it is through our graduate management programme, as a cadet pilot, or in the engineering apprentice programme." "As students start to consider a career in the tourism sector, it is important that they acknowledge the important function the airline industry holds in contributing to the industry and its economic diversification function - and there is no better place to be inspired than the Etihad Training Academy," said Fatima Al Melhi, Industry Awareness Executive, TCA Abu Dhabi. "The facilities and opportunities within Etihad Airways are first class, and we encourage them to consider the aviation sector as a future career option." The Tourism Youth Summer Camp sees students take part in various workshops designed to boost their awareness of the emirate's tourism industry and inherent economic, social and environmental impacts; embark on field trips to better acquaint them with Abu Dhabi's expanding tourism offering and participate in team building exercises to develop their interpersonal skills. With various stakeholders contributing prizes for high performers, the students also undertake fact-finding field trips to Yas Island, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Zayed Centre, Abu Dhabi Pearl Journey, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort and the Manarat Al Saadiyat Exhibition Centre.