ATNS co-hosts first-ever inter-provincial aviation career development beneficiaries

Air Traffic and Navigation Services’ (ATNS) partnership with Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) is growing by the day. The two sister companies hosted a group of (Class of 2018) high-achieving Grades 10 to 12 learners from the Eastern Cape Province, on a 3-day Aviation Career Development Tour – in and around Johannesburg and Pretoria. Other state-owned entities who participated in this initiative include Denel, South African Airways and the South African Police Services Airwing.

Learners and their principals, from Dondashe (Centane Village) Umthiza (East London) and Walmer (Port Elizabeth) Secondary Schools, were welcomed by Aviation Training Academy (ATA) Principal Tendani Ndou, who spoke at length about a number of interesting topics including but not limited to the Academy’s phenomenal achievements, recognition as an institution of high learning and a Air Traffic Services and Aviation Systems Engineering’s Hub of Excellence. The group was also treated to an OR Tambo International Airport Air Traffic Control Centre (ATCC), and the imposing Air Traffic Control Tower tour, which gave them a real-life Air Traffic Management experience.

As an organisation that is focused on investing in rural and previously-disadvantaged communities, as well as empowering the youth with the necessary life-skills and career guidance in general, ATNS recognizes the importance of giving interested young people “once-in-a-life-time” opportunities to experience the industry prior to making critical career decisions.

“ATNS understands the need to broaden career choices for the young people of South Africa. We want to encourage the youth to take an interest in the aviation industry, and we hope to see some of these learners join us at the ATA after matriculating,” said Ms Ndou

A learner-representative thanked all the sponsors for making their dreams come true and also expressed their gratitude for  being given the first-time experience of flying aboard an aircraft. She was speaking on behalf of her grateful peers.