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Air Seychelles renews internship with STA |18 September 2015

 

Air Seychelles has renewed its agreement with the Seychelles Tourism Academy whereby the national career provides internship opportunities to the academy’s students. As a result, the students follow a work attachment programme in different departments of the company.

The two-year agreement which has bonded the two organisations for four years now was renewed for the third time through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed yesterday afternoon at the STA at La Misère. Air Seychelles chief executive Roy Kinnear signed on behalf of the airline while the STA was represented by its principal Flavien Joubert and the chairman of its board of directors John Stravens. Also present were members of the National Assembly (MNAs), members of Air Seychelles staff as well as lecturers and students of the tourism academy.

In a short speech, Mr Joubert reminded that the existing cooperation between Air Seychelles and STA has already brought many activities. As he wished for many other actions in the future, he expressed his satisfaction that the collaboration has offered training for students who are now part of the airline’s cabin crew and ground staff. Hoping that present students will follow this trend, he has ensured that STA and Air Seychelles wish to make the cooperation become better in the future.

Mr Kinnear replied that the relationship has permitted expert training, helped to develop talent and careers and made the whole country move forward as it has contributed to create a strong Seychellois workforce.

“Air Seychelles is committed to building this quality workforce,” he said.

The Air Seychelles boss described the cooperation as “natural, as we both want to develop excellent customer service for the benefit of all, including Seychelles.” He added that with a 98% local staff, Air Seychelles will not only continue to keep a high percentage of Seychellois employees, but will also encourage past STA students to take management positions within the company.

“We want to take the partnership to the next level and go beyond providing guest experience. We want to see Air Seychelles managed by an all-Seychellois management team,” he said.

On his part, Mr Stravens thanked Air Seychelles for the partnership. Referring to the academy as “the gloves” and the airline as “the hands”, he stressed that both organisations need each other for the development of the tourism industry.

Gabriella Nourrice, a young guest service agent who graduated from STA in May this year, shared her good experience with Air Seychelles after studying tour guiding and tourism. She has encouraged present students whom she says “are at the starting point of their career”, to follow in her footsteps and join Air Seychelles after their studies.

She added: “The internship programme was a really great experience that opened the door for me to start my career in aviation. I remember vividly how excited I was when I had to go to the airport for my first night shift as part of my practical training. It made me realise how much I enjoy interacting with and assisting guests at the check-in, and how exciting and dynamic it is to work for an airline.”

The programme is designed to support young Seychellois in developing a career in the aviation industry through training programmes at the STA led by Air Seychelles experts, as well as vocational placements and internships in specific airline departments.

 Students who complete the training programmes, which are specifically focused on service-related positions such as guest check-in agents at the Seychelles International Airport, will be considered for full-time positions after graduating from the academy.

 

 

 

 

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