The newly established Aviation Institute of Maldives (AIM) will strengthen efforts to develop skilled professionals for the country’s aviation sector while creating new opportunities for employees to gain recognised qualifications, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) CEO and Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed has said.
Speaking at the official inauguration of AIM and its first graduation ceremony at Hulhule Island Hotel on Wednesday, Shareef said the continued development of employees is essential as airport operations become increasingly specialised and technically demanding.
He said MACL’s progress is closely connected to the knowledge, skills and capabilities of the people working across its different operational areas, making investment in workforce development an important part of the company’s long-term plans.
The establishment of AIM is intended to provide a more structured pathway for that development.
According to Shareef, the institute will give MACL employees opportunities to obtain recognised qualifications while strengthening the technical and professional competencies required for their respective fields.
Employees will also be able to pursue professional development through the institute while continuing their careers at MACL, allowing them to build qualifications alongside practical experience within the airport industry.
Shareef said the institute would support MACL’s efforts to develop the skilled workforce needed for the future of the aviation sector.
The launch of AIM comes as Velana International Airport undergoes significant expansion, bringing with it increasing demand for specialised professionals across airport security, operations, engineering, utilities and other technical areas.
As the operator of the country’s main international gateway, MACL employs staff across a broad range of specialised functions required to keep the airport operating around the clock.
The expansion of VIA, including the opening of the new international passenger terminal and development of supporting infrastructure, has further increased the importance of developing local technical expertise capable of supporting increasingly complex airport operations.
AIM is expected to provide MACL with a dedicated platform through which employees can receive structured aviation-related training and work towards qualifications aligned with professional requirements.
Wednesday’s ceremony also marked the graduation of the institute’s first cohort.
A total of 29 participants successfully completed the Certificate Level 3 in Airport Security Management, becoming AIM’s first graduates.
The programme was developed in accordance with Maldives Qualifications Authority standards and was designed to prepare personnel for work within MACL’s Estate Security Service.
Shareef congratulated the graduates on completing the programme and encouraged employees across MACL to take advantage of the training and professional development opportunities that will be offered through the institute.
With the aviation industry continuing to expand alongside the growth of Velana International Airport, Shareef said developing the capabilities of employees would remain central to MACL’s progress.
Through AIM, the company is seeking to create a stronger pathway for employees to turn their practical experience into recognised qualifications while building the technical workforce required for the future of Maldivian aviation.
