The Emirates Group and GE Aviation, the world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to extend GE’s development and leadership training programmes to UAE National employees at the Emirates Group.

The MoU was signed at the Dubai Airshow by Nasser Bin Kherbash, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, HR Development and Customer Service and Aziz Koleilat, Vice President of Sales, MENAT Region, GE Aviation, in the presence of Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ Chief Operating Officer and Amira Al Falasi, Emirates’ Vice President, HR Talent Acquisition and National Talent Development.

“As the aviation industry continue to expand in our region, we recognise that there is a continuing need to develop the UAE National workforce at the Emirates Group, building and empowering future leaders in the field. We already have a robust UAE National training and development programme and we are keen to develop it further by utilising the proven training expertise of a highly-regarded organisation like GE Aviation,” said Nasser Bin Kherbash, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, HR Development and Customer Service

“We look forward to working closely with GE Aviation to give our Emirati employees a one-of-a-kind opportunity to access world-class training programmes and leadership initiatives,” he added.

As part of the agreement, GE Aviation will offer select UAE National employees at the Emirates Group the opportunity to take part and attend development courses and programmes at designated venues both in the UAE and the United States. The programmes will include leadership courses and individual learning opportunities, providing UAE nationals with a variety of resources and tools to help them grow their careers.

“More than two years ago, Emirates began its partnership with GE Aviation on a leadership and development training programme, and the first class of graduates completed the programme earlier this year,” said Aziz Koleilat, Vice President of Sales, MENAT Region, GE Aviation. “We are honoured to extend our learning opportunities to the Emirates Group and help develop the UAE National workforce.”

Over the years, the Emirates Group has employed UAE Nationals in a variety of roles across the group. Through its Emiratisation strategy, Rehlaty, the group sets an Emiratisation target to recruit and retain UAE Nationals, offering a range of career opportunities and scholarships to ensure the new recruits are well-equipped for a dynamic career with the Emirates Group.

GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE, is a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components, integrated digital, avionics, electrical power and mechanical systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings and is part of the world’s Digital Industrial Company with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive.