Tamkeen and Gulf Aviation Academy sign training agreement

Bahrain-based Tamkeen announced yesterday that it has signed an agreement with the Gulf Aviation Academy (GAA) to train and qualify 65 Bahraini pilots seeking jobs as part of Tamkeen's initiatives and programmes for Human Capital Development.
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The 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, 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.

 
In a statement, Dr. Al-Shaikh praised the agreement for opening 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" he added.
 
He 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.
 
The programme will last for 8 weeks, and is scheduled to include 65 Bahraini pilots, with targets to secure employment for junior pilots who currently have no Aircraft type rating, with airlines in the Gulf region. ‫‫
 
"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 Talal Al Zain, CEO of Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Co.
 
 “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.”
 
Eng. Mahmood Al Balooshi, chief operations officer at GAA, added: “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.”

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