Next50 Initiative: Developing the Next Generation of UAE Aerospace Talent

Most aircraft engines are — to put it simply — pretty complex. Some are so big that a full-grown human can stand up in the fan case; others are more sleek and compact. But size aside, it’s the remarkable technology inside a gleaming GE Aerospace jet engine that really inspires awe, especially if you are a high school or university student intent on getting into the aerospace field.

Now, thanks to the Next50 initiative, high-performing young students in the United Arab Emirates will not only get to see these engines up close but have the opportunity to get hands-on training. They will learn how to perform maintenance on the F110 engine, which powers the General Dynamics F-16, as well as the T700, which powers the Sikorsky Black Hawk and Boeing Apache helicopters.

The Next50 initiative is a program established by Abu Dhabi–based GAL, an integrated aerospace and defense services provider. The multi-year program seeks to enhance the skills and knowledge of UAE nationals by working with various original equipment manufacturers, including GE Aerospace, to provide theoretical and practical training in aerospace-related disciplines. Their goal is to reach 50 young people each year.

Mahmood Alhay Alhameli, Chief Executive Officer at GAL commented, “It is our responsibility to contribute to building a highly skilled workforce and robust knowledge-based economy here in the UAE. At GAL, we are proud to offer programs like the “Next 50 Initiative” to actualize our commitment. Partnering with GE Aerospace, allows us to leverage our expertise not only to train the next generation of Emirati leaders, but also equip them with industry-leading experience and tools needed to drive growth and the future of the UAE aerospace sector.”

As part of their training with GE Aerospace, student participants will travel to the GE Aerospace Customer Technical Education Center (CTEC) near Cincinnati, Ohio, in the United States. CTEC is one of GE Aerospace’s world-class training facilities for employees, customers, and others from around the world.

“We are pleased to welcome these Emirati students to our world-renowned training center, which is located close to our global headquarters and major R&D, engineering, and manufacturing facilities,” said Salim Mousallam, regional vice president of Defense & Systems for GE Aerospace in the Middle East, Africa, and Türkiye. “We have proudly contributed to workforce development in the UAE and the wider region for decades, and this program is the latest example of our shared commitment to building a pipeline of skilled, passionate, and talented young people who are eager to work in the aerospace sector.” 

GE Aerospace will provide both academic courses and practical hands-on training that will cover a wide range of topics, such as aircraft maintenance, avionics, engineering principles, and operational best practices.

Beyond gaining a strong understanding of these topics, the students will learn skills required to maintain and troubleshoot the F110 jet engine and the T700 helicopter engine, two advanced engines that play a crucial role in the operations of the UAE Armed Forces.

GE Aerospace has been working with aviation customers in the UAE and the Middle East for more than 40 years. Across the region, the company has more than 250 employees supporting nearly 30 airlines and U.S.-allied defense organizations. By equipping the next generation of Emirati aerospace professionals with world-class training, GE Aerospace and its partners are not only shaping careers but also helping to strengthen the UAE’s role in the future of flight.