Green Africa Airways has disclosed its plans to close the shortage of manpower development in the industry with the training of 1,440 aviation professionals in the next 10 years.
The airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Babawande Afolabi, made this known during the unveiling of the g-Future initiative at its Head Office in Lagos on Tuesday.
Afolabi explained that the programme was initiated because there was a lack of human capital development as several airlines had refused to employ, mentor and train professionals since the demise of the Nigeria Airways.
The airline’s boss added that the glut in manpower was due to the fear of poaching from other airlines coupled with the gap left in the training of professionals at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology ( NCAT).
According to him, hence, Green Africa recognises this gap and says the airline is working to bridge it.
He added that the programme was not a one-off thing that would end after the 10 years period, stating that it would stretch on and create a solid base for the industry to transit the way it should.
The airline’s Founder noted the initiative would further increase human capacity in the industry with a plan to train no fewer than 1,440 aviation professionals within the next 10 years.
He said: ”Over the next decade, we are planning to graduate about 200 captains, about 140 flight dispatchers, about 500 cabin crew, about 100 engineers and about 500 other professionals.
“When we say other professionals, some people think of our training programme for pilots and engineers but there is a whole lot more within the aviation business.
“So, you have network planning, aviation and aircraft financing, so you see other areas where the 500 can attract.
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“The programme had already started and we plans to get four young pilots type-rated every month with a view to grow them to becoming captains in four or five years.
“Also, eight Second Officers are doing their FCC training in Zaria from March 9, cabin crew are on training already and 10 technicians too were training to become engineers, however, it is a gradual journey that will take time and finance.”
Afolabi said the idea of the programme was for the trained professionals not to be enslaved from being poached if another job opportunity presented itself after they had been trained by the airline.
“The main idea of the programme is to close the manpower gap in the industry and not the fear of someone leaving after training.
“If there is going to be a bond, there will be a bond in place but the philosophy of the bond is going to be different.
“So, if you have a bond that would be amortised over a particular period of time, if for whatever reasons an opportunity comes up and someone needs to leave, it will be negotiated but it is not going be a case where you have a bond and make the person a slave.
“We will go into contractual agreement that Green Africa spent this amount of money to train you and you need to work for Green Africa for this time,” he said.
The Director of Airworthiness Standard, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Mr Kayode Ajiboye, commended Green Africa for the initiative to close manpower gaps in the industry.
Ajiboye emphasised that by developing local content in the industry alone, airlines could survive longer than five years in the country.
