This youth month once again saw South African Airways (SAA) showing its support for the country’s youth and future leaders as it hosted its annual Youth Careers Summit.
The summit, which took place between 11 and 14 June at Airways Park with the theme, Limitless Opportunities on the Ground and in the Sky, brought together 2 000 Gauteng learners from Grades 9 – 11 as well as students from the Ekurhuleni East College and numerous other TVET Colleges in the province.
Aimed at sparking conversation around the country’s skills requirements and opportunities in aviation, the event highlighted the wide array of career options available to youth within the aviation industry in general.
Delegates and students were given unique insights into a number of professional aviation disciplines such as engineering, flight operations, logistics, catering, aircraft maintenance, aviation medicine, and aviation law providing them with first-hand knowledge of the skills required to run an international airline business.
SAA spokesperson Tlali Tlali recognised that as a state-owned company with a mandate that includes supporting the national developmental agenda, SAA understands the importance of contributing towards transforming the country by creating both economic empowerment opportunities, as well as providing training and skills development for our country’s youth.
With 40% of SAA workforce younger than 40 and 19% aged between 32 and 37, the Youth Careers Summit provided the ideal platform to demonstrate the exciting opportunities available to youth in this diverse and dynamic industry sector.
In the past SAA has received extremely positive feedback from learners and students alike, all of whom have been both encouraged and inspired to further investigate a future career path within the organisation and the industry in general.
Additional exhibitors at this year’s Summit included DENEL Aerospace which showcased its Cheetah aircraft, the South African Police Services, Civil Aviation Authority, Mango Airlines, and the Transport Education Training Authority.
“It is always very rewarding to host and engage with these young people during our Youth Careers Summit. Not only is it an opportunity to educate but also a means for us as an organisation to gauge and gain insight into the future hopes and aspirations of the young people of today,” explained SAA Spokesperson Tlali Tlali.
“A total of 262 apprentices are already undergoing training this year with a further intake of 40 apprentices and interns beginning their training on the 15th of July in a variety of different fields. Preparing them for future opportunities in the aviation industry. Going forward SAA will consider reinstating some of the additional training initiatives for youth once the financial position of the company has been stabilised,” Tlali concludes.
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