Etihad aiming for girl power

ETIHAD Airways will open a new contact centre in Al Ain that will be exclusively managed and operated by UAE national women.

The contact centre, which is set to open in January 2011, will be staffed by 80 Emirati women who will be contact centre agents and contact centre team leaders under the leadership of a contact centre manager.

The centre is the latest element to be introduced into Etihad’s innovative Emiratisation scheme which currently includes a cadet pilot, engineering and graduate manager programme.

 James Hogan Etihad Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, said: “Etihad Airways continues to expand its career opportunities for UAE nationals but the new contact centre is particularly special because it will be exclusively staffed by women in the city of Al Ain.

 “As the national airline of the UAE we are fully committed to growing our workforce of Emiratis, whilst respecting the culture and ambitions of the country.”

The female operatives will begin work at the contact centre in January 2011 on completion of a six-month training course run in conjunction with Abu Dhabi University.

The course consists of English language training, customer service skills and a comprehensive induction into Etihad Airways.

The contact centre will be open between 8 am and 8 pm seven days a week. The ladies will have flexible working hours which are aimed at providing them with the ability to balance their work life with their home and family life.

The Al Ain contact centre will initially be a satellite office of the Abu Dhabi contact centre where currently 20 per cent of the staff are UAE nationals.

Over time, as it grows, additional functions will be transferred to the Al Ain contact centre.