At a groundbreaking conference in Lagos, South African Consulate General, led by Dr. Bobby Moroe, expressed support for the launch of the Nigeria South African Air Exchange Programme, a strategic initiative designed to build, develop careers and strengthen cooperation in the African aviation sector.
This pilot exchange programme was the first major step under the Nigerian South Africa Air Forum and was founded by aviation advocate Toni Ukkachuk. It is run by the Aviators Management Academy and supported by Walk for Love Africa, an NGO focused on capacity building and socioeconomic development in the travel and tourism sector.
The programme will start with an intensive online training session and begin a seven-week dialogue course at the Aviation Academy in South Africa to train and certify young Africans in the aviation sector. Upon successful completion, the candidate will receive a South African cabin crew license. Returning to Nigeria, participants complete local requirements to obtain a Nigerian air licence, thereby gaining double certification and broader career prospects. Participants will also be provided with opportunities for automated engagement with various Nigerian airlines and will launch their aviation careers.
“The programme is more than training cabin crews, unlocking the possibilities of African aviation by investing in people,” said Toni Ukachuk, founder of the Nigeria South African Air Forum. “There is a growing skill gap in the aviation sector in Africa. This initiative is a direct response to that. We are building bridges, breaking barriers and preparing the next generation of African aviators.”
In a bold move to encourage aviation innovation, the program is designed as a completely digital first initiative starting with online training and virtual assessments.
“The intentional use of this technology reflects our commitment to leveraging aviation technology to leap infrastructure and geographical barriers and drive digital transformation in the sector.”
The exchange programme has been launched in collaboration with civil aviation authorities in Nigeria and South Africa and aims to promote inter-African cooperation, travel and tourism by addressing key aviation skills gaps across the continent.
As part of its long-term vision in capacity building and career development, Walk for Love Africa is establishing a capital fund to support aspiring aviation professionals with seed funding and scholarships. Global Aviation Forecasts show that Africa will need more than 20,000 pilots, technicians and cabin crew members over the next decade.
Additionally, the founders of the Nigeria South African Airlines Forum are currently discussing the proposed memorandum (MOU) with the African Aviation Association. The goal is to establish a pan-African framework that enables trained aviation professionals to work across African Aviation through the programme, and that will encourage deeper integration, mobility and collaboration across the continent.
Google+
