Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) on Sunday began interviewing women applicants to join its five-year “future leaders” program.

Under the program, which began in 2015, some 150 men and women will be trained and qualified to take up leading administrative jobs in GACA’s various sectors and airports.

Out of 230 women applicants, only 20 will be shortlisted to join the training which will start in November.

As many as 2,865 women applied for the program, but after thorough scrutiny only 230 were shortlisted of whom only 20 will be selected.

GACA spokesman Abdullah Al-Khiraif said the candidates will be trained on the authority’s various specializations and work fields.

During the training period, trainees will be paid monthly salaries and provided medical insurance which will also cover their families.

Khiraif said the training will focus on management skills and will also include familiarization visits to all GACA sectors and offices. “Women will receive on the job training inside and outside the Kingdom,” he said.

The spokesman said the trainees will be constantly evaluated.