Abu Dhabi Week got a chance to sit down with Captain Salem Al Khazraji, senior manager of Support and Strategic Planning, Abu Dhabi Airports Company to take a look at how he’s helping to shape the aviation industry in the Emirate

For our readers who are not familiar with Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), can you please explain what exactly it is your company does?

Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) is responsible for managing, operating and developing five airports in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi including Abu Dhabi International Airport, Al Bateen Executive Airport, Al Ain International Airport, plus two smaller airports in Sir Bani Yas Island and Delma Island. At the same time we have seven subsidiaries or sister companies as well that cover a full range of aviation-related services.

Previously you were the head of Learning and Development. How did that role help you develop an Emiratisation plan?

I focused on training, analysis, how to design and implement training programmes related to the industry and evaluating the effectiveness of training programmes at the same time. The skills I gained were then easily transitioned into our Emiratisation programme at ADAC. Instead of dealing with the entire staff, I actually was looking at a specific population of our employees. Talent management is one of the keys to success in Emiratisation. We should try to help them develop their interests and find out what they already excel at as that will help motivate employees and further development.

As senior manager of Emiratisation, what were some of the challenges you faced?

As you know the biggest challenge when it comes to recruiting UAE Nationals is that they are not equipped with the knowledge and skills required for the airport industry. Unfortunately there aren’t any academic programmes for colleges and universities to provide graduates in this field. We’ve had to design our own training programmes to provide them with the necessary skills needed to succeed in the aviation industry.

Why is it so important to encourage and facilitate Emiratis joining the aviation workforce?

Worldwide the aviation industry is expanding and as you know in the UAE, the Abu Dhabi International Airport is what we call a developing mega-hub. In order to cater to these growing demands, you need aviation professionals to work in these facilities, and in order to do that we need to develop the local talent.

You were instrumental in developing The Bridge Programme at ADAC. Can you explain a bit about what it is and why it is so import for people with special needs to be included in the workforce?

In 2010 we first implemented The Bridge. Basically it is a work readiness programme, which was tailored for ADAC employees with special needs and at the same time we offered free seats for other UAE Nationals with special needs from other entities in Abu Dhabi. Our inaugural class had around 20 participants and we were able to help them develop more in their roles. We were very fortunate to have been recognised twice by HE Minister of Labour in the UAE for our commitment to encourage and include special needs employees within ADAC.

Every employee should have equal opportunities and not have to face any type of discrimination in the workplace. They have the right to work and the company is responsible to provide the correct environment for every employee.

Your commitment to Special Needs persons has garnered you some very deserved praise and responsibilities. Can you tell us more about your role as an ambassador for people with special needs?

In 2010 we participated in the National Project for Inclusion, which was one of the initiatives from Zayed Higher Organization, under the patronage of HH Sheikha Fatima, the Mother of Nation. After a report and audit of our services, we were given the Golden Prize, the first prize, for our efforts on recruiting, training and developing employees with special needs. I was also honoured to be an ambassador for people with special needs and it is something I’m very passionate about.

Can you tell us about your other roles regarding people with special needs in ADAC?

In addition to chairing the Special Needs Committee at ADAC, last April we also launched another committee called Passengers with Reduced Mobility (PRM). I feel everyone should have the right to our services. For example if we build a toilet, we should also provide an accessible one for wheelchair users. If we have two telephone booths, one needs to be fit for wheelchair users. It’s very simple things that mean a lot. We are trying to focus on improving our facilities and our airports to be the preferred airports for PRMs.

Can you tell us about how you are getting the youth involved with ADAC and training them for future careers?

For the last three summers we’ve been hosting a youth ambassador summer programme in ADAC for UAE Nationals. Last summer was the largest group of students with 135. We placed them in different departments, areas and airports. And most of them actually approached me to extend their work experience, specially the students who worked inside the terminals and got a chance to interact with the passengers, they like it. This is only the summer training programme, we also facilitate work placement requests from different colleges and universities.

Have you always wanted to be a pilot? How did you end up in this career?

I started my career as a pilot in the government. I was not planning for it actually, but when I was interviewed I was given three options and chose flying. I was the first to fly solo in my class and was fourth overall in my class, so I really was happy with my decision. After flying I was able to earn my aviation engineering degree. Afterwards I transitioned into the classroom to teach, becoming the first UAE National teaching aviation engineering. I joined ADAC in 2009 and can say that everything I did in the past is like a base for what I plan to do in my new role. I am trying to find ways to implement a better approach to our future expansion objectives.

Sawaiba Khan