SriLankan study courses for young adults

by Elmo Leonard

Sri Lanka's national carrier, SriLankan Airlines, the winner of many good services awards has begun a range of studies for young adults attached to the global aviation industry and those aspiring to enter the industry.

This International Aviation Academy (IAA), at the company's administrative complex in Katunayake, is Sri Lanka's first professional industrial skills training facility, the airline's head of human resources, Sunil Dissanayake said. IAA is accredited by leading international bodies including the International Air Transport Association (IATA) City and Guilds and Edexcel International.

SriLankan, in its quest for excellence, counts awards such as the world's friendliest cabin crew; best airline in Central Asia and the subcontinent region, for four successive years; world's best inflight entertainment and first runner-up for world's best cabin staff.

IAA will train students in a range of airline specific programs including airline ticketing and sales, cabin crew training, air cargo skills and procedures, flight dispatch programs and airline management, among other such study programs.

These courses of study range from three-day refresher programs to 16-week modules. All programs have an on the job component which exposes participants to real life situations and a platform to test their classroom learning.

IAA, the brainchild of Sri Lankan human resources division will cater to the increasing demand for airline industry specific training and mid-career training by local and international airlines.

SriLankan chief, Peter Hill said that with it, IAA bridges a long standing void for an internationally accepted training facility. IAA is also in discussion with Sri Lankan universities to obtain accreditation for its programs at post-graduate diploma level.

Besides, IAA has obtained recognition from other industry apex bodies, with the Travel Agents' Association of Sri Lanka (TAASL) and Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) appointing the academy as a training partner, Dissanayake said.

Todate, over 100 SLAITO and TAASL representatives have undergone training with the IAA, Dissanayake said.

SriLankan said that its trained personnel have been much sought after by leading international airlines, with a number of Sri Lankans now manning top posts in the airline and hospitality industry.

Dissanayake said that a few international organisations were already intent on sending their staff or training and to recruit candidates who obtained IAA qualifications.