Etihad Airways has announced 10 new Cadet Pilot scholarship places for internal candidates in its newly established programme. The new programme builds on the extraordinary success of the UAE National Cadet Programme launched last year which received more than 2000 applications.
The scholarship programme
Etihad has awarded fully-paid scholarships for the program to ten of its employees. The airline stated that seven of the recipients are women. The programme also aims to honour all 145 nationalities within Etihad, giving them the opportunity to make lateral career moves after their two-year scholarship.
Dr Nadia Bastaki, Chief People and Corporate Affairs Officer, Etihad Airways, said:
As the world comes together in support of International Women’s Day, it is fitting that we celebrate the diversity of our cadet pilot intake, with seven of the ten successful candidates being women. At Etihad, we’re proud to give flight to ambition with this incredible opportunity for internal candidates who have the determination to take their careers to new heights.
Etihad spread the ten roles across the organisation, including Cabin Crew and Flight Dispatch. The selected employees will begin cadet pilot training once they complete the formalities. The airline revealed that there are eight nationalities within the ten candidates, reinforcing their aim of a diverse workforce. These successful candidates were amongst 600 applicants from within Etihad.
The application stage
All cadets took part in a rigorous application process. They went through exams of English, mathematics, physics, and a Pilot Aptitude test. Furthermore, the applicants had to take part is psychometric evaluations and medical assessments.
Etihad celebrated the successful candidates on stage at its annual employee engagement forum in front of 2,500 employees. The airline stated that “one of the selected women” was “thrilled to be selected” and could “show her son that dreams can come true.”
Captain Fahad Alseiari, Head of the Cadet Pilot Programme at Etihad Airways, said:
The primary objective of the Cadet Pilot Programme is to develop world-class pilots who align with Etihad Airways’ operational and safety standards. The programme sets the standard for pilot training, blending comprehensive theoretical education with practical flying experience. By using the latest aircraft models and technologies, we ensure our cadets are well-prepared for the demands of modern aviation.
This is the first time Etihad has launched an employee-only Cadet Pilot programme. The Employee Cadet Pilot program will play a vital role in developing skilled talent to support Etihad’s growth and maintain its position as a world-leading airline.
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