Flying high: Aerospace Training Centre opens doors to aviation enthusiasts
Established by PIA, it will be the fifth of its kind in the country.
During his address, Azeem said the government is well aware of career opportunities in the growing aviation sector and therefore has planned to establish 12 such training centres in major cities across the country. STOCK IMAGE
SAIDU SHARIF:
Pakistan’s fifth Aerospace Training Centre has opened its doors to aviation enthusiasts of Swat Valley. Operating under the auspices of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the institute will provide both technical and vocational training for airline professionals.
The facility was formally inaugurated by Special Assistant to PM Shujaat Azeem on Wednesday. The centre will provide new career opportunities to the youth of the region at their doorstep.
“Earlier, it was next to impossible for the youth of the region to have a career in aviation. They had to either go all the way to Karachi or abroad,” Saadullah Khan, a resident of Saidu Sharif, told The Express Tribune. Khan said the career choice was hence restricted to affluent sections of the society only. Much to the delight of locals, the establishment will now impart aviation training at an affordable cost and will produce licensed aircraft maintenance engineers.
During his address, Azeem said the government is well aware of career opportunities in the growing aviation sector and therefore has planned to establish 12 such training centres in major cities across the country. He mentioned how campuses in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Nawabshah are already functional.
The special assistant said Civil Aviation Authority granted PIA ANO-147 certification in August 2014, making it the first company of its kind in Pakistan to produce certified aviation professionals. He said the centres will prove to be a flagship achievement for the country’s airline industry and will not only produce technical manpower but also provide employment opportunities to millions.
Azeem said almost 42% of the valley’s population lies within the age bracket of 15 to 40 years and the absence of any major engineering, technical or medical institute of higher learning in the region is a major reason for economic immobility of the people.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2015.
Pakistan’s fifth Aerospace Training Centre has opened its doors to aviation enthusiasts of Swat Valley. Operating under the auspices of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the institute will provide both technical and vocational training for airline professionals.
The facility was formally inaugurated by Special Assistant to PM Shujaat Azeem on Wednesday. The centre will provide new career opportunities to the youth of the region at their doorstep.
“Earlier, it was next to impossible for the youth of the region to have a career in aviation. They had to either go all the way to Karachi or abroad,” Saadullah Khan, a resident of Saidu Sharif, told The Express Tribune. Khan said the career choice was hence restricted to affluent sections of the society only. Much to the delight of locals, the establishment will now impart aviation training at an affordable cost and will produce licensed aircraft maintenance engineers.
During his address, Azeem said the government is well aware of career opportunities in the growing aviation sector and therefore has planned to establish 12 such training centres in major cities across the country. He mentioned how campuses in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Nawabshah are already functional.
The special assistant said Civil Aviation Authority granted PIA ANO-147 certification in August 2014, making it the first company of its kind in Pakistan to produce certified aviation professionals. He said the centres will prove to be a flagship achievement for the country’s airline industry and will not only produce technical manpower but also provide employment opportunities to millions.
Azeem said almost 42% of the valley’s population lies within the age bracket of 15 to 40 years and the absence of any major engineering, technical or medical institute of higher learning in the region is a major reason for economic immobility of the people.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2015.