Riyadh Air has announced the launch of a new ‘Employment-First’ Overseas Scholarship Program for aspiring aviation professionals.
The scholarship programme will have several “tracks”, the first of which will offer specialised paths for pilots and aviation engineers.
The initial phase will focus on sending scholarship students to Australia to study towards bachelor’s degrees in aircraft maintenance engineering, covering both mechanical engineering and avionics.
Next month, Riyadh Air will also launch a commercial aviation training opportunity in the US, where new pilots will be trained under the scholarship programme.
“In line with Riyadh Air’s commitment to supporting students' career progression, the participants will be employed before embarking on their scholarships,” the airline said.
“This ensures that their years of experience are registered with the General Organization for Social Insurance, enhancing their professional readiness from day one.”
The scholarship programme is supported by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education, Ministry of Transport and Logistics, and the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).
Nahar Aljahani, VP of talent acquisition and business partners at Riyadh Air, said the 'Employment-First' Scholarship Program is a part of the airline’s commitment to developing national human capital and enabling Saudi youth to access world-class education.
“Its impact will reflect positively on the development of the aviation sector in the Kingdom, contributing to the company's goal of creating over 200,000 direct and indirect jobs,” he said.