The Access Bank of Nigeria Plc. has shown readiness to fund the training of aviation professionals in Nigeria, with a view to supporting the development of the next-generation of aviation professionals in Nigeria as well as aviation development in Nigeria.
The aviation industry globally, and in Nigeria, is predicted to face acute shortage of professionals as the industry is fast losing its pool of professionals to ageing, retirements and poaching from other regions.
Access Bank held a forum in Lagos recently tagged “Access Aviator Roundtable” to seek inputs from aviation professionals on how to make a success of its aviation industry loan scheme. The bank explains that the ‘Aviator Advance’ is a specialized loan accessible to pilots and aircraft engineers to finance the acquisition of a type rating certification. According to Iyabo Soji-Okusanya, Head Corporate Bank and Ehizojie Ohiowole, Sector Head, Transport, both of Access Bank, the product is exclusively to meet the needs of aviators who require type rating certification to meet Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) requirements.
Capt. Edward Boyo, CEO, Overland Airways, commends the initiative of the bank, and urges Access Bank to ensure the training programme is available to all categories of personnel that need training. According to him, no aspect of the industry ecosystem should be neglected since the industry cannot function without the vital inputs of various professionals in the industry including cabin and cockpit crew, flight dispatchers, commercial personnel, air traffic controllers, technicians, etc. He emphasizes the need for the bank and the industry to ensure the success of the scheme for the benefit of both parties.
Capt. Folu Oladipo of Green Africa Airways, also stresses the essence of proper screening of training candidates, as reiterated by Capt. Segun Omole, Director, Flight Operations, Dana Airlines, who also calls for provision of simulator in Nigeria for local training. Other industry experts at the event also emphasize the need for proper screening of trainees to ensure the best outcome of the training scheme.
