Air Serbia’s partnership with Etihad Airways has created hundreds of new jobs in Belgrade and Abu Dhabi.More than 300 Serbians work for the Abu Dhabi-based airline and the employment opportunities have created career paths for many young Serbians. These include the first group of young Serbian nationals selected for the graduate management program.Nearly 200 cabin crew, four pilots, 30 guest service agents and more than 70 others work in corporate roles in departments across Etihad Airways.In the first half of 2014, Air Serbia grew its workforce by 300 new professionals. The majority of these new jobs are in commercial roles, with a focus on the airlines call centre operations.The strong growth of Air Serbia will continue to create a significant number of new jobs for Serbian nationals. Currently the airline has more than 50 vacancies, with an active hiring process currently underway for pilots and cabin crew.Chief Executive Officer of Air Serbia, Dane Kondić, said: “The partnership with Etihad Airways brings many exciting and extraordinary employment opportunities for Serbian nationals that would not otherwise have been possible. We are growing our workforce and, for the first time, investing in skills that give people more than a job – we are offering careers. I am very proud that we have now recruited Serbia’s inaugural batch of female pilots. We have ensured the transparency and advertising of all employment opportunities, something which rarely ever happened in the past, ensuring that all Serbians have an open and equal opportunity of gaining employment with Air Serbia”.President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, James Hogan, said: “The partnership between Air Serbia and Etihad Airways is strong and collaborative. It gives me great pleasure that Air Serbia is succeeding and to see capable young Serbians on the graduate program learning skills in Abu Dhabi, which will stay with them forever.”Air Serbia is creating jobs in an exciting global industry that is making a significant contribution to the economy of Serbia.The jobs in which Air Serbia is investing are not for the short term; they are core to developing a sustainable aviation industry in Serbia.The graduate management program is a very exciting outcome of the partnership with Etihad Airways. Nine young graduates are currently participating in the program in Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways and will, upon successful completion, join operating divisions across Air Serbia.Dane Kondić said: “As we shape Serbia’s national airline for the future, it is important that we make training and leadership development of young qualified Serbians a priority. This program is part of our ongoing commitment towards identifying, training and empowering talented Serbians crucial to our future success.”The graduate management program involves intensive classroom-based training and work placements with departments at Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi, which are aligned to their career plans. Each graduate also dedicates time to researching and delivering a business-based project.Along with the graduate management program, Air Serbia is currently working on developing a range of other training programs aimed at creating qualified Serbian aviation professionals.The airline is planning to re-launch the cadet pilot scheme, which will provide stream of internationally qualified young pilots.The technical department of Air Serbia has employed 44 engineers and technicians to establish the line maintenance facility at Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla International Airport. This decision is part of the strategy to build a strong base in Serbia and maintain the highest standards of safety and aircraft maintenance.”The partnership with Etihad Airways is strengthening both Air Serbia and the Republic of Serbia”, Mr Kondić said.
Source Air Serbia
