RECRUITING FOR THE SKIES

Antony Marke, Chief Operating Officer of Dulsco People, explores the dynamic aviation industry landscape,  discussing the rising demand for diverse roles, strategic partnerships, and innovative training programs,  highlighting how Dulsco People is both meeting and anticipating the evolving needs of this rapidly changing  industry with Megha Mary Mathews.

Can you provide insights into the current trends you’ve observed in the aviation industry regarding recruitment, especially in terms of the types of roles in demand?

The aviation industry, particularly in countries like the UAE, is primed for significant growth in 2024 and beyond, as projected by global aviation analysts such as CAPA – Centre for Aviation. With Zayed International Airport at Abu Dhabi, Dubai International Airport set to surpass 100 million passengers this year and the recent announcement of a 128-billion-dirham plan to expand Al Maktoum International Airport, it signals one of the most significant developments in UAE aviation history, setting the stage for industry-wide progress.

Antony Marke
Chief Operating Officer, Dulsco People

This expansion requires a robust recruitment drive for carriers as well as airports across various roles. This mix includes pilots, cabin crew, customer service representatives, as well as essential backend roles such as airport and cargo operators, inflight catering, and support staff.

Dulsco currently serves 12 of the UAE’s  major airports across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain,  Dubai, and Sharjah, extending its services to the broader GCC region. Within these  airports, we facilitate staffing for over  30 specialised categories encompassing  terminal, cargo, airside, and support  operations. 

Over the past years, we’ve observed an average annual increase of 30% when it comes to net growth. We anticipate this trend to intensify further as the industry grows, with projections of up to 65 million passengers in 10 years at  Dubai International Airport coupled  with DWC’s and 33 million in Zayed  International, Abu Dhabi are ambitious  plans to accommodate initial capacities  of 150 million passengers, extending  to 260 million upon completion of all  phases.

Recently, with over 8000+ team  members deployed in the aviation  sector, what strategies has Dulsco  People employed to ensure the  recruitment and retention of skilled  professionals? 

In the aviation sector, our recruitment  strategy is comprehensive, ensuring we  secure the best talent available. 

When it comes to retention, our primary  focus is on providing competitive  compensation packages, career growth  plan through talent management pool  as we believe it’s a critical driver for  employee satisfaction. Additionally,  fostering a supportive work culture  and prioritising open and transparent  communication are top priorities.

Furthermore, we heavily invest  in employee welfare, training and  development programmes, offering  opportunities for career advancement  and personal growth. We have dedicated welfare, HR and  back-office teams based in all our staff  accommodations to focus on employee  well-being and assist them round the  clock. 

In your experience, what are the  key challenges faced by aviation  professionals in the UAE? How do  you address the diverse staffing needs  of the aviation sector, considering the  wide range of roles, from customer  service to air traffic control?

In the aviation industry, professionals  face several challenges, with the  constant need to update their skills and  stay informed about new regulations,  technologies, and operational changes  topping the list. This dynamic  environment demands adaptability and  a commitment to continuous learning to  uphold safety, efficiency, and compliance  standards.

At Dulsco, addressing the diverse  staffing needs of the aviation sector  is ingrained in our DNA, shaped  by decades of experience since our  establishment in 1935. We understand  that the broad spectrum of roles within  aviation, spanning from customer  service to air traffic control, requires  tailored approaches. Drawing upon  our extensive cross-sector expertise,  including in oil & gas and hospitality,  we’ve cultivated specialised teams  capable of grasping the intricacies of  role-specific requirements. This enables  us to navigate the complexities of  aviation staffing effectively, delivering  customised solutions that precisely  meet our client’s needs while upholding  the highest standards of quality and  professionalism.

Could you elaborate on the curated  training programs Dulsco People offers  for professionals in the aviation sector,  and how they contribute to career  development and industry expertise?

In 2022, we established The Dulsco  Training Academy at the Mohammed bin  Rashid Aerospace Hub in Dubai South  to offer a range of training solutions at  our state-of-the-art facility. 

For each role, we implement tailored  training programmes to ensure  proficiency and safety. Mandatory  training, specific to job roles,  departments, and locations, forms the  foundation of our training regimen.  Additionally, comprehensive safety and  security training is provided during  induction, along with equipment-specific  instruction. 

Moreover, we offer accreditation courses  delivered by our aviation subject matter  experts. These courses cover a range  of critical topics including Dangerous  Goods, Aviation Security Awareness  (AVSEC), Basic Airside Safety, and  more. Our training specialists hold  certifications accredited by leading  international and local government  agencies such as IATA, FIATA, IOSH,  and GCAA, ensuring the quality and  recognition of our training programs.  This commitment to excellence enables  us to provide a comprehensive and well rounded training experience for our  personnel, reinforcing our partnerships  with key clients such as dnata, Emirates  Sky Cargo, Etihad Airport Services, and  others within the aviation industry.

Are there any specific skill sets or  qualifications that are particularly  in demand in the aviation sector  currently?

Considering the growth of Aviation  across UAE and diversity around UAE  tourism, there’s a definite need of  extensive customer service personnel  who can speak different languages. In  addition, there is demand for qualified  GSE mechanics and technicians along  with other ground personnel. 

With the evolving landscape of aviation  technology, how do you ensure its workforce stays updated with the latest  industry advancements and skills?

d  on the ongoing operational updates/ 

challenges and further mitigation  plans. Additionally, we foster strategic  partnerships with industry leaders and  educational institutions, gaining valuable  insights into emerging technologies.  For instance, last year we implemented  the SafeFast and Telematics initiative  in Dulsco People’s 158+ vehicle fleet  around the region.

Can you discuss any notable industry  partnerships or collaborations Dulsco  People has forged to enhance its  services and offerings in the aviation  sector?

Dulsco People’s heritage is deeply  intertwined with the UAE’s remarkable  growth Abu Dhabi Airports, story.  Throughout our history, we’ve  cultivated strategic partnerships and  collaborations with industry leaders to  elevate our services in the aviation sector.  Notable among these partnerships are  our affiliations with Major Airports,  Ground Handling agencies, Airlines in  UAE and associated aviation partners.  These collaborations have empowered  us to provide tailored recruitment and  staffing solutions that precisely meet the  unique requirements of our esteemed  partners. 

Moreover, we’ve extended our  partnerships to other service providers  to enhance our operations in the  aviation space. Through one of our  partners, we’ve been providing dry  washing services tailored for aircraft  

and airport ground service equipment.  By employing specialised chemicals  and state-of-the-art equipment we have  significantly reduced the use of water.