HKIAA Holds Matriculation Ceremony for Second and Third Batches of Mainland Students from the GBA Youth Aviation Industry Internship Programme

On 31 July 2023, the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy (HKIAA) held a Matriculation Ceremony for the GBA Youth Aviation Industry Internship Programme to welcome the second and third batches, a total of 100 students from the GBA to Hong Kong. This programme is organised by the HKIAA and relevant aviation training colleges from the Mainland, providing the students with a one-year programme that includes structured classroom learning at HKIAA and internships at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) with an aim to nurture and build up the talent pool in the GBA. Mr Lam Sai-hung, Secretary of Transport and Logistics HKSAR, Mr Fred Lam, CEO of Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), Mr Simon Li, President of HKIAA and senior management from participating airport business partners attended the ceremony, encouraging students to seize this valuable learning opportunity.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Lam Sai-hung welcomed the GBA students coming to Hong Kong. He pointed out that the thriving regional aviation industry would need a pool of diversified talents to provide support. He said, “The Government launched the GBA Youth Aviation Industry Internship to encourage the exchange of personnel between Hong Kong and the Mainland for internship opportunities at different airports in the GBA, nurturing the next generation of aviation talent for the sustainability of the aviation development in the GBA.”

Mr Simon Li further added, “Working in such an international environment could help you enhance your communications skills with passengers coming from around the world and strengthen your understanding towards the daily operations of an international airport within a short period of time. After this one-year learning experience, I truly believe that you will all become an aviation professional.” Mr Li was grateful to the Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB), AAHK and different authorities in the Mainland for their active facilitation and efforts in launching the internship programme. He also showed his gratitude to generous support from the airport communities, providing internship opportunities in various sections for the GBA students and joining hands to promote the robust development of the aviation industry.

Following the matriculation ceremony, Mr Lam and Mr Li had a tea gathering with four students to understand their internship in Hong Kong and share their experiences. They also encouraged the students to constantly make breakthroughs in the coming year, excel in their strengths and succeed in learning.

The first batch of 38 students from the Guangdong Polytechnic of Science and Technology's Flight Attendant Faculty had arrived in May and started their one-year internship at four passenger handling agents at HKIA. The second batch of students from Guangzhou Civil Aviation College and the third batch from Guangdong Huawen Aviation Art Vocational School will start their internship at passenger handling agents and aviation security company after the first-week orientation. Students will undergo the hybrid learn-and-work training, receiving classroom training at HKIAA once a week that covers topics including Basic Airport Operations, Customer Services Excellence, Practical Aviation English and Communication Skills. HKIAA plans to extend this programme to aviation training colleges outside the GBA, attracting more young talent dedicated to developing their aviation career in the GBA.