Tanmia, the National Human Resource Development and Employment Authority, has recently announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), to boost employment opportunities for UAE Nationals in the aviation sector. The MoU was signed between Feddah Lootah, Acting General Manager, Tanmia and Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General, GCAA.

Commenting on the MoU, Feddah Lootah said, "We are confident that this MoU will result in the employment of several Nationals in the UAE's thriving aviation sector. The GCAA, being a federal body set up to oversee all aviation-related activities in the UAE, will be able to identify all available job openings for Nationals within the various departments under its jurisdiction. Tanmia will leverage its resources to ensure that suitable candidates are given appropriate training to be able to efficiently undertake the responsibilities in the aviation sector."

According to the terms of the MoU, Tanmia will liaise with GCAA to identify its job requirements; perform job matching; nominate suitable candidates; work with GCAA to develop training programs to meet competency gaps of selected candidates; liaise with GCAA to select appropriate training providers; jointly invest in training of selected candidates where required and agreed; provide adequate monitoring of any and all training programs during implementation; and provide a mechanism for post-employment follow-up of job seekers.

On their part, GCAA will provide Tanmia with detailed requirements specific to job openings, including job title, educational level and gender, for direct placement. GCAA will also collaborate with Tanmia to identify skill gaps and design appropriate training programs, in addition to providing post-employment feedback to Tanmia.

"This MoU is in line with our emiratisation strategy. Currently more than 49 per cent of the workforce at GCAA is made up of Nationals, and we are certain to increase this percentage following the signing of this agreement with Tanmia. We commend Tanmia's efforts in maximizing employment of Nationals and we are eager to extend our total support to them in this regard," said Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi.

The General Civil Aviation Authority is a federal, autonomous body set up to oversee all aviation-related activities in the UAE, and to regulate Civil Aviation and provide designated aviation services with emphasis on safety and security and to strengthen the aviation industry within the UAE and its upper airspace. This autonomous body is the sole authority for the control and regulation of civil aviation in the UAE, having responsibility for the provision of enroute air navigation services, and all aspects of flight safety.