As part of the training and capabilities development program, Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA), together with Fraport, the management service provider at KAIA in Jeddah, have implemented a number of training initiatives for the benefit of the airport and its employees. By the end of this year, more than 500 KAIA employees will have attended courses in Jeddah. In addition more than 100 executives, managers and young trainees will, in the next 12 months, be deployed to other Fraport airports around the world for individual training. One of the most important initiatives is the Young Professionals program for talented staff members who are being trained to occupy leading positions at the airport. As part of the program, they are sent to Fraport headquarters, Frankfurt Airport in Germany for three to six months, to work on individual projects and to receive general management training. Ten trainees who recently returned from three months training in Frankfurt received certificates recognizing their achievements at a presentation ceremony held on Aug. 24, 2010 attended by Eng. Mazen Khashoggi, director general of KAIA, and Fraport's Jan C. Laufs, managing director of KAIA. This is the second Young Professional group sent to Frankfurt. Their 10 predecessors completed the program last year and are working at KAIA in the field they have been trained for in Frankfurt. The next group of 10 dedicated young KAIA employees is scheduled to leave Jeddah to Frankfurt as soon as next month. More groups will follow. Khashoggi said: “We are committed to the highest standards at KAIA and the 10 graduates of the Young Professionals training program were selected for their high potential to hold leading positions in the management of the airport. We are all very pleased with the progress they have shown as a result of their training in Frankfurt and I thank GACA and Fraport for their support and cooperation in facilitating this intensive career enhancement program.” Laufs said: “Everyone at Fraport in Frankfurt was highly impressed by the keenness and high level of aptitude shown by this group of handpicked trainees. They achieved great progress in a relatively short period of time and we look forward to seeing them put the results of their training into practice as KAIA goes through the process of transformation into a world class airport.” The training and capabilities development program is a key part of the plans for the expansion of the airport, which are based on KAIA's commitment to corporate, social and environmental responsibility for the benefit of all stakeholders, including Saudi and other employees, as well as local and international passengers.
