Bahrain Airport Services Aircraft Engineering Training Centre (BAETC) held a graduation ceremony for the first Tamkeen sponsored students who have completed the Airbus A320 "Type" Rating training, which followed four years of intensive theory and practical aircraft engineering training program.

The guest of honour at the ceremony was Dr. Ahmed A. Hameed Al-Shaikh, Vice President of Tamkeen. Bahrain Airport Services CEO Mr Phil Bowell also welcomed Mr. John Skinner, Chairman of Serco Kanoo Training Solutions, Mr. Tim Wilkinson from Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited (HAECO), the aircraft engineering subsidiary of Cathay Pacific Airways and other dignitaries from the Bahrain aviation industry.

The graduates were part of the first group of BAETC students to be sponsored by Tamkeen, who have so far supported a total of 62 Bahraini students. Due to the high standards attained at BAETC, many have already been employed by leading international companies including Gulf Air and HAECO as well as BAS’s own Engineering & Line Maintenance Department.

Commenting on the significance of this important milestone in the student’s careers, Dr. Ahmed A. Hameed Al-Shaikh said “Tamkeen is especially proud of our cooperation with BAETC because it connects to the findings of our Skills Gaps survey and is a tangible example of how Tamkeen has translated these findings into real empowerment and training action on the ground.”

Realizing the need to boost the number of aircraft engineers to meet Bahrain Aviation industries future growth, Tamkeen has provided numerous sponsorship opportunities for students aspiring to specialized in this field. Tamkeen’s role is not only limited to provide funding, but also extends to on-going counseling and monitoring of students progress, working closely with BAETC, throughout the 4 year study program.

Expressing his deep gratitude, BAS Deputy CEO, Salman Al Mahmeed, stated “BAS is extremely proud of the partnership with Tamkeen, which enabled many young Bahraini men & women, to enroll in this highly professional and sought after field of Aircraft Engineering. We look forward to continuing our fruitful cooperation with Tamkeen to train more and more students to meet the aviation industries growing demand for qualified engineers, both locally and across the region. Furthermore, such initiatives & collaboration play an important role in enhancing Bahrain reputation as a centre for academic & training excellence in line with the Kingdom’s 2030 vision”.

With the introduction of SKTS in 2010 as Interim Management, BAETC has improved its classroom facilities, upgraded teaching aids & methodology, and made substantial investments in professional development of BAETC staff. Students are selected following a rigorous entry examination and selection criteria which ensures that students have the required aptitude and capabilities to succeed in this type of vocational training.

To certify an aircraft to fly requires that the individual completes an in-depth training course designed and approved by an internationally recognized accreditation organization. As there are many different types of aircraft flown by commercial airlines, and as such an engineer must undertake an approved aircraft "Type" course, over and above the four years aircraft engineering program. This ensures that the engineer is fully conversant with the multiple systems on board that aircraft type. Once a period of work experience is carried out, the individual applies to the appropriate National Aviation Authority for approval. For us here in Bahrain, this is the role of the Bahrain Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) who have adopted the high standards of the UK CAA. Once all relevant training and work has been carried out, the UK CAA will endorse their individual license. Holding this approval increases the employability and career success of the individual engineer. BAETC is recognized by the most prestigious accreditation institution in the world, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and has already received the EASA 147.0002 certificate, a distinction which is shared with only a handful of other centers outside Europe.