Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/487054
Events 26 maltatoday, Sunday, 29 March 2015 Emirates Aviation College (EAC) - Crew Training has reported a record-breaking year for 2014, with over 33,000 attendees in various training courses (with some crew members attending multiple cours- es in a year). Covering different dis- ciplines from Safety & Emergency Procedures, Medical Training, Service and Image, the training col- lege caters to both new cabin crew recruits as well as existing crew. In 2014, Emirates invested about AED 73 million in cabin crew train- ing which saw a total of 4,280 new cabin crew or 'ab initios' graduat- ing from the facility. 4,136 existing crew trained for a cabin upgrade, 534 cabin crew graduated to be Pursers and 17,650 crew partici- pated in their Recurrent training – a mandatory course crew under- take every year. To meet this train- ing demand, EAC - Crew Training operated at an average of 17 hours per day, conducting 3,994 courses equivalent to 245,262 training days. "The depth and diversity of our training operations is fundamen- tal to the great service that we of- fer on Emirates, and it is something that we will always invest in. 2014 has been a busy year for the Cabin Crew Training team and it reflects the exponential growth of Emir- ates. We finished the year with a team of nearly 20,000 cabin crew," said Catherine Baird, Senior Vice President Cabin Crew Training, Emirates. "Emirates has become the airline of choice for those who dream of pursuing a career as cabin crew and other exciting roles in aviation. This year we have had up to 120 new re- cruits joining us each week." Opened in 2007, the EAC Crew Training facility supports training in a number of key learning areas for new recruits, the ab-initios, who undergo an intense 7.5 weeks of training. It houses a variety of spe- cialised training rooms and equip- ment to support learning in the areas of: Safety & Emergency Pro- cedures; Medical Training; Secu- rity Training, Cabin Service Train- ing, and Image & Uniform amongst others. There is also a dedicated In- duction team who take care of the new recruits as they arrive and set- tle into Dubai, introduce them to the city and guide them on the cul- ture and traditions of the region. But more than the impressive numbers that show the extent of Emirates' operations, Crew Train- ing gives emphasis to the highest standards of training in a state- of-the-art facility which is wholly- owned and operated by Emirates. Training has both theoretical and practical components and the courses are conducted by highly qualified staff, many of whom are former cabin crew themselves. The EAC Crew Training facility is equipped with advanced full mo- tion simulators including A330/ A340, Boeing 777 and A380 that makes emergency scenarios for new cabin crew very realistic. Service training in mock aircraft across Emirates' fleet types and cabins makes sure that crew are familiarised with the aircraft in a true-to-life environment, while they practice serving different types of meals and responding to service requests from customers. Emirates operates daily scheduled flights between Malta and Dubai via Larnaca, Cyprus. KTM bicycles now available in Malta Emirates Cabin Crew Training has one of its busiest years – over 33,000 take courses The Radisson Blu Resort, St Julian's reopens A long established and highly re- spected bicycle brand through- out Europe and the number one bicycle brand in Austria, KTM bicycles have officially arrived in the Maltese market. With dealers in over 50 coun- tries worldwide, KTM is one of the fastest growing bicycle brands in the world becoming a powerful player in the bicycle industry. KTM Bike Industries boast a unique and innovative product range including the lat- est in 29er technology. KTM manufacturing is based in Mattighofen, Austria, and the company has been design- ing and manufacturing bicycles since 1964. KTM manufactures an impressive 200,000+ bicy- cles per year, a number which is growing rapidly. Maltese customers, seasoned cyclists and leisure riders alike, will find the perfect bicycle to suit their needs with a choice of frames from carbon fibre to aluminium and accessories brought together in modern designs. The new range is peppered with state-of-the-art technolo- gies ranging from KTM Per- formance Carbon, KTM PDS 2 System to KTM Prime Wheels, while offering the most attrac- tive packages around. The lat- est KTM series takes care of maximum comfort, guarantees maximum riding fun and a cool look. A wide range of specialist clothing, helmets, parts and ac- cessories is also available. People are invited to see the latest KTM bicycles, clothing and accessories at Fapi Motors Ltd. in Mdina Road, Attard Minister for Finance Ed- ward Scicluna recently officially inaugurated the Middlesea Insurance and MSV Life joint Re- gional Office and motor claims surveying centre in Birkirkara, alongside Mid- dlesea Insurance's Chair- man Mr Martin Galea, President and CEO of Middlesea Insurance plc Alfredo Munoz Perez, and CEO of MSV Life David Curmi. Alfredo Munoz stated that whilst it is commonly said that the local insur- ance market is already saturated with little or no room for growth, it is the company's mission to prove this to be wrong. This will be done through the strategy of moving closer to the customer as well as the introduction of more innovative products and services, backed by the international expertise gained from MAPFRE Group, one of the world's largest insurance groups and Mid- dlesea's majority shareholder. David Curmi said that MSV's strategy of being "customer ob- sessed" is already showing results as in 2014, the company grew at double the rate of the market. He expressed optimism about the local market especially with regard to the pensions sector, where it is already planning products in line with the new regulatory regime. During his address, Minister Sci- cluna praised Middlesea's initiative stating, "It is always encouraging seeing operators branching out, establishing new premises, moving closer to their clients, and creating economic growth." The Regional Office, which is situ- ated in Wignacourt Street, Birkirkara, offers a one stop shop for insurance products, wherein a specialised team will assist clients with all their insur- ance, protection, savings, invest- ment and retire- ment needs, guid- ing them towards the products which are best suited for their needs whilst also providing as- sistance should any claims arise. It also houses a motor claims surveying area in attend- ance, enabling clients to avoid the inconvenience of having to leave their car at the mechanic and to take the car to be surveyed at their own convenience instead. Middlesea Insurance p.l.c. (C-5553) and MSV Life p.l.c. (C-15722) are both authorised by the Malta Financial Services Authority to carry on both Long Term and General Business under the Insurance Business Act, 1998. COM26032015 905 30 March is a particularly spe- cial day this year because the Radisson Blu Resort, St Julian's is re-opening its doors af ter a five- month closure. During this time, extensive ren- ovation works were carried out across the hotel with some key areas of the propert y being com- pletely refurbishment. Adrian Attard, the hotel 's Gen- eral Manager said, "The hotel has been given a complete face-lif t. With the renovations a more con- temporar y and st ylish look has been injected to the entiret y of the hotel. We are extremely ex- cited to re-open and welcome our guests back with our Yes I Can!" spirit. Finance minster inaugurates Middlesea Group Regional Office in Birkirkara The KTM bike, a fast growing brand The Finance Minister inaugurates Middlesea's regional office with (right) chairman Martin Galea