The Next50 initiative is set to significantly impact the aerospace sector in the United Arab Emirates by offering high-performing students the chance to engage directly with advanced aircraft engines. This program allows students to gain hands-on training in maintaining engines such as the F110, which powers the General Dynamics F-16, and the T700, used in Sikorsky Black Hawk and Boeing Apache helicopters.

Established by GAL, an integrated aerospace and defense services provider based in Abu Dhabi, the Next50 initiative aims to enhance the skills and knowledge of UAE nationals. The program plans to reach 50 young people each year by collaborating with various original equipment manufacturers, including GE Aerospace, to provide both theoretical and practical training in aerospace-related fields.

Mahmood Alhay Alhameli, Chief Executive Officer at GAL, emphasized the importance of contributing to a skilled workforce and a knowledge-based economy in the UAE. He noted that the partnership with GE Aerospace allows GAL to combine their expertise to train the next generation of Emirati leaders, equipping them with essential experiences and tools necessary for the growth of the UAE aerospace sector.

As part of their training, participants will visit the GE Aerospace Customer Technical Education Center (CTEC) located near Cincinnati, Ohio. This facility is recognized as one of GE Aerospace’s premier training centers catering to employees, customers, and participants from around the globe.

Salim Mousallam, the regional vice president of Defense & Systems for GE Aerospace, expressed enthusiasm about welcoming Emirati students to the training center. He highlighted GE Aerospace’s long-standing commitment to workforce development in the UAE and the broader region, describing the initiative as an important step in fostering a pipeline of skilled and passionate young professionals eager to work in aerospace.

Students will engage in both academic courses and practical training covering a wide array of subjects including aircraft maintenance, avionics, engineering principles, and operational best practices. Moreover, they will acquire skills to maintain and troubleshoot the advanced F110 jet engine and T700 helicopter engine, both crucial for the operations of the UAE Armed Forces.

GE Aerospace has been actively working with aviation clients in the UAE and the Middle East for over 40 years, supporting nearly 30 airlines and U.S.-allied defense organizations with a workforce of more than 250 employees in the region. By equipping the next generation of Emirati aerospace professionals with top-tier training, GE Aerospace and its partners are not only shaping individual careers but also reinforcing the UAE’s future contributions to the aerospace industry.