Boost for sector’s manpower development

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Boost for sector’s manpower development
December 10, 2019

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•From left: Chief Flight Officer, Aero Contractors, Taofeek Sanni; Training Manager, Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Captain Jim Hassan; Sanusi; Muhammed; Director of Flight Operations, Aero Contractors, Gerald Nmuoka and Head of Aircraft Maintenance Engineering School, NCAT, Nasiru Mohammed, after the signing of the MoU with NCAT.

Partnership between airlines, maintenance repair and overhaul centres and aviation training organisations is increasingly bridging the gap in manpower development by creating a window for On-the-Job Training  (OJT) for budding pilots and aircraft engineers, writes KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR.

Opportunities for job creation through manpower development received a boost at the weekend as Aero Contractors of Nigeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding  (MoU)  with the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT),  to engage 10 graduates of the college for On the Job Training  (OJT).

The partnership between Aero and NCAT, is part of efforts to deepen indigenous capacity in the sector, by providing a platform for young aircraft  engineers to acquire practical knowledge and experience in the mechanics of the aviation industry.

The pact between Aero and NCAT, experts say, could not have  come at a better time given diminishing opportunities for job creation in the aviation industry.

Besides creating such unique platform to acquire practical knowledge and experience in avionics,  Aero Contractors and NCAT are the oldest organisations in the sector with commonality in values in building capacity for the sector.

Speaking shortly after signing the MoU in Zaria, Kaduna State , Managing Director of Aero , Captain Ado Sanusi, described the cooperation between the airline and the college as institutional relationship that will deepen human capacity development and the growth of the aviation sector.

He said besides being an airline, Aero Contractors as an Approved Maintenance Organisation  (AMO)  licensed by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority  (NCAA),  the aircraft maintenance facility will come in handy for NCAT student engineers who have looked forward to cementing their classroom knowledge with practical experience during the On-the-Job training.

Sanusi added:” This Memorandum of Understanding is going to set in motion, the annual On-the-Job Training for NCAT student engineers for a three-month period to enable them gain practical experience on aircraft maintenance  before proceeding for another specialised intense training at Aero Contractors Rotary and Fixed  Wing Departments.

“Aero Contractors shall expose the student engineers to invaluable experience in our workshops on planning detailed knowledge of air frame and other matters vital to acquiring knowledge on aircraft maintenance.

“On completion of this robust maintenance exposure, I am pleased to announce that the management of Aero Contractors is pledging an offer of immediate employment to the best 10 student engineers that emerge from the On the Job Training. They shall be distributed five each to our Rotary and Fixed Wing Departments.

“Aero Contractors has chosen this course of action to demonstrate our unequivocal support to the policy of government,  which is the creation of employment opportunities for our youths.”

The Aero Contractors boss described its AMO as one of the few facilities which has made critical link between human capacity development and employment creation as a basis for effectively servicing Nigeria ‘s  growing aviation industry.

Sanusi urged government to continue to engage companies who have proven antecedent of human capacity development and employment creation.

“This is the proven path by which the organised private sector can accentuate the attainment of employment creation as advocated by government. “

The Chief Executive Officer and  Rector of NCAT,  Captain Abdulsalami Mohammed described the partnership between the organisations as a milestone that will play a significant role in advancing the safety and growth of Nigeria’s aviation industry.

He said:”This collaboration is unique in the sense that both parties have a long history in the aviation field.

“Aero Contractors is the first Maintenance Repairs and Overhaul Organisation and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology is the first Approved Training Organisation to be certified by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.”

Mohammed said human capacity development was  fundamental to sustainable development of the aviation industry.

But, he said achieving such feat of sufficient and effectively trained manpower demands  sustainable synergy and partnership among critical stakeholders.

For instance, he described the  partnership between the college and the airline as a “momentous phase”in the training of Nigeria ‘s future aircraft engineers.

“ The problem of lack of job opportunities in  the aviation sector has become a great concern to the players . As the Chief Executive Officer of a training organisation it is painful to see young qualified Nigerians finding it difficult to secure jobs. Therefore, it is profund that Aero Contractors has pledged to absorb 10 student of the college after the end of their stay in the airline.

“ Let me assure our partners of the college’s commitment to the development of aviation professionals.  Because of this , we will continue to work with stakeholders to ensure that the aviation sector has well – trained and skilled manpower.

 

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