NAD SUMMER APPRENTICES GAIN

HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN AIRPORT MANAGEMENT

 

Nassau, August 19, 2009—For NAD apprentice Chavan Pinder, the challenge of working in an airport environment led her to choose a career in aviation.

 

“Aviation on the whole is so exciting,� said the 24-year-old licensed pilot and former Aviation Management major at Florida Institute of Technology. “I’ve seen it from the point of view of a pilot flying into the airport. Now working in the Public Safety Department at NAD, I get to see things from the perspective of an airside specialist/public safety officer.�

 

Chavan, whose ultimate goal is to become a commercial airline pilot, is one of eleven interns enrolled in the Nassau Airport Development Company’s 2009 Summer Apprentice Program.

 

For eight weeks, the lucky interns shadowed airport employees to see exactly what it takes to manage the Lynden Pindling International Airport. 

 

“The program is designed to provide young Bahamians with hands-on job training in various areas at the airport including Maintenance, Accounts, Customer Experience, Information Technology and Operations,� said Rachel Rolle, Manager of People at NAD. “We have a unique opportunity to develop candidates and to see what they have to offer as potential employees.�

 

Jonathan Hanna, a senior at Florida Institute of Technology, worked in NAD’s 24-hour Operations Centre. He can trace his love for aviation back to early childhood.

 

“My father would bring me out to the airport to watch the planes land and take off,� said the Aviation Management major.  

 

This is his second year in NAD’s apprentice program. Jonathan also volunteered for a non-paid position during his winter break. “I like being around the airport. It’s always busy and there is always something to look forward to. I use the apprentice program as a reinforcement tool for what I learn in the classroom.�

 

Jonathan’s enthusiasm is to be commended. “Our goal is to build a world-class airport facility. In order to do that, we have to attract and retain employees who share that vision. The fact that Jonathan volunteered to work here speaks volumes of his interest in the environment and in the company,� said Rolle.

 

In July 2009, construction began on the new 247,000 sq. ft. U.S. Departures terminal at LPIA. The terminal, schedule to open in early 2011, is a part of a $409.5 million airport expansion project..