Bahrain Airport turns to Serco for best practice drive and future training programmes

The partnership with Serco’s joint venture SKTS will allow BAETC to eventually offer a full and diverse range of aviation courses, a company statement said.

“With these latest introductions we will be able to offer training all the way from Level 3 foundation courses to Level 6 Foundation Degree with progression to a full-fledged, internationally recognised BSc (Honours) degree in aircraft engineering,” said Philip Bowell, CEO at Bahrain Airport Services.

BAETC appointed SKTS after an in-depth analysis report that proposed ITC developments and recommended upgrades for training aides, systems, policy and procedures, facilities, libraries, etc.

The report also assessed the centre’s training, instructors, facilities and other factors. The recommended changes will establish ‘best practice’ methods to give BAETC greater worldwide recognition.

Bowell added: “With SKTS on board, BAETC will be managed and run at par with the   highest international standards and the Kingdom’s QAAET (quality assurance authority for education and training) requirements.”

“The aim is for BAETC to be a par excellence education centre in Bahrain and the region” he said.

John Steele, head of education & training at SKTS, Middle East, said: “We will bring in the most talented and experienced UK Instructors who are exceptional in their fields to impart knowledge and raise standards.”

“ To sustain a centre of excellence, developing instructors in the very latest and innovative teaching strategies will be an imperative, whilst bringing in local talent is essential, we will be looking to assign a deputy training manager who will undergo an intensive 18 months – 2 year training programme,” he added.

The BAETC is internationally accredited and recognised as the premier institute for aircraft engineering in the Middle East.

Serco is an international support services group with its headquarters in the UK. It is a service and outsourcing company and has been delivering essential public services in the Middle East region for more than 40 years, said the statement.