Emiratisation in Aviation: National Programmes and Careers
Aviation follows MoHRE's standard Emiratisation rules, but its employers run some of the UAE's largest national talent programmes. Emirates Group offers seven routes for UAE nationals, including the National Cadet Pilot Programme (ages 18 to 26), a five-year Aircraft Maintenance Engineer licence programme and The Technologists programme. flydubai runs a flight dispatcher programme with Emirates Aviation University.
Emirates Group programmes for UAE nationals
| Programme | What it is | Who can apply |
|---|---|---|
| National Cadet Pilot Programme | Foundation, flight training and line training | Ages 18 to 26, Grade 12, strong English |
| Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence Programme | Five years: Emirates Aviation University diploma plus on-the-job training toward a GCAA licence | Ages 17 to 24, Grade 12 |
| The Technologists | Software engineering, cyber security and solutions design | Ages 18 to 24, Grade 12 at 85%+, IELTS 6 |
| Aviation Management Bachelor's | Four years of study plus 12 months on the job | Ages 17 to 24, 85%+, IELTS 6 |
| Airport Services | Check-in, boarding and baggage, 6 to 12 months of training | Ages 18 to 35 |
| National Cabin Crew Programme | Seven-week training course | Ages 21 to 30, Grade 10 |
| dnata Customer Services | Passenger services, 6 to 12 months of training | Ages 18 to 35, Grade 12 |
All require a valid UAE passport and Khulasat Al Qaid. Source: Emirates Group careers, checked 13 October 2026.
Careers in aviation
- Airline Pilot
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
- Customer Experience Officer
- Software Engineer and Cybersecurity Analyst, through The Technologists
Sources
- Emirates Group: programmes for UAE nationals. Emirates Group.
- flydubai opens Flight Dispatcher Programme for Emirati talent. StrongYes, July 2026.
This page explains UAE Emiratisation rules for general information. It is not legal advice. Rules change, so confirm against the official MoHRE, Nafis or Central Bank source linked above before acting. StrongYes is an independent publication and is not affiliated with MoHRE, Nafis, the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council or any UAE government body. Full disclaimer.