"As part of Tamkeen’s initiatives and programmes for Human Capital Development, an agreement was signed today between Tamkeen and the Gulf Aviation Academy (GAA) to train and qualify 65 Bahraini pilots seeking jobs with a total cost of up to BD 490,000, with Tamkeen covering the tuition fees equally with the trainees. This agreement, signed by Tamkeen’s Vice President for Enterprises and Human Capital Development, Dr. Ahmed Abdul Ghani Al-Shaikh, and the Chief Executive Officer of GAA, Mr. Tim Shattock, comes within the package of training programmes stated in the signed MOU between the two parties during Bahrain International Air show back in January 2010, through which Tamkeen aims to provide distinctive training opportunities in advanced specialisations for Bahrainis. Moreover, the agreement states to employ the trainees after successful completion of their training programme in a number of international airlines.
Gulf Aviation Academy is a pioneering initiative and a valuable part of Bahrain’s aviation industry. As shareholders and investors, we see GAA as an essential part of our strategy to grow and diversify Bahrain’s economy and back initiatives to create high value jobs.” said Mr. Talal Al Zain, the CEO of Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Co.
He added: “This partnership with Tamkeen will ensure that more Bahrainis receive the skills and training they deserve. It is an initiative we should all be proud of.” P <>
In a statement on this occasion, Tamkeen’s VP Dr. Ahmed AbdulGhani Al-Shaikh praised this agreement, its outcomes and the fruitful cooperation with GAA, especially as it opens a window of opportunity for the Bahraini trainees to enter the local and regional labour market in distinctive specialisations, which Tamkeen hopes to achieve through its programmes and initiatives for the Bahraini youth.
“Tamkeen will equally share the training cost with the trainees, where the total cost per trainee will amount to BD 15,080, whereby Tamkeen pays BD 7,540 of the total cost while the trainee will bear the remainder” P < added. he>
Tamkeen’s VP for Enterprise and Human Capital Development also said that the programme comes to fill one of the local and regional market gaps, especially with the increasing demand by airline companies for skilled labour in these advanced technical specialisations.
He also explained that the programme, which will last for 8 weeks, is scheduled to include 65 Bahraini pilots, and targets securing employment for junior pilots who currently have no Aircraft type rating, with airlines in the Gulf region.
On the other hand, the CEO of GAA, Mr. Tim Shattock, stressed the importance of the fertile cooperation with Tamkeen in qualifying and training Bahraini pilots to be the employees of choice in this field at the local and regional levels. He pointed out the significance of this training in meeting the ongoing needs and the increasing demand for these specialisations, especially with the growth of the aviation industry in the MENA region.
Engineer Mahmood Al Balooshi, the Chief Operations Officer at GAA, commented that the Academy has the state of the art theoretical and practical training means. We hope that the agreement with Tamkeen would pave the way to further cooperation, as we are confident that the Bahraini pilots will be a source for meeting current needs in this sector in various Gulf countries. We also thank Tamkeen for its support and awareness of the need to invest in Bahraini human capital, and for the provision of knowledge and expertise with the view of producing creative and distinguished Bahrainis in this vital field."