Yesterday, the first day of the 'Promising Future' exhibition for employment in the civil aviation sector kicked off, organized by the Civil Aviation Authority at the 'Union Museum' in Dubai. The exhibition featured 27 entities, including government institutions, airlines, manufacturers, and academies linked to the sector. The event witnessed an unprecedented turnout, with over 13,000 students and job seekers participating throughout the two-day event. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority, stated: 'We are pleased to witness this significant turnout, which reflects the success of this initiative and the interest of the new generation in the opportunities offered by the aviation sector in the UAE. We also appreciate the response and active participation of our partners in the aviation sector, which played a key role in the success of this initiative and reinforcing the concept of collaborative work among various sector institutions.' Al Suwaidi added that the aviation sector is not only a major economic engine but also one of the pillars of comprehensive development, as it provides around one million direct and indirect jobs and constitutes about 18% of the GDP. Moreover, it is a platform for innovation, technological advancement, and attracting talents and distinguished competencies. He confirmed that the upcoming phase will witness major transformations in the sector due to technological developments, automation, artificial intelligence, sustainable aviation solutions, and advanced air mobility. Therefore, organizing an exhibition that brings together all training and employment institutions in the aviation sector is a fundamental step to discovering new opportunities and understanding the sector's future needs. During the first day's activities, the Civil Aviation Authority announced the launch of a new research award in aviation titled: 'Aviation Pioneers Research Award.' The award aims to honor outstanding student research that contributes to enhancing aviation safety and security, developing its future systems, and supporting research that adds practical value to the Authority by developing regulations, improving operations, and enabling evidence-based decision-making. The exhibition also includes 20 dialogue sessions on employment over the two days, presented by the exhibition's partners from airlines, airports, and national carriers to highlight career opportunities, required skills, and success stories in the sector. Meanwhile, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority announced its participation in the exhibition as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting efforts to develop the civil aviation sector in the UAE. The Authority showcases available job and training opportunities, as well as its key achievements in empowering national workforce and developing human capital. The localization rate stands at 91%, while the percentage of Emirati employees in specialized positions reaches 81%, reflecting the success of its strategy in attracting and qualifying national competencies in vital areas of the aviation sector. The Authority also sheds light on its training and development efforts, with the rate of trained employees in 2025 reaching about 97.6%. Hana Hamd Abdullah, Head of the Employment and Human Resources Department at the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, said: 'Our participation in this exhibition reflects the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority's commitment to supporting national directions for developing the aviation sector and our focus on investing in Emirati talent, who are the main driver for the sustainability of corporate excellence.' She noted that the localization and training rates achieved by the Authority embody a clear vision for building national competencies capable of keeping pace with the development of the aviation sector locally and globally.
