Air Pacific Management Development Programme

 Twenty Air Pacific managers were recently presented with internationally recognised qualifications as part of a ground-breaking Airline Management Development Programme.

The graduation, held on 9 August at Denarau Island, Fiji, marks the second wave of Air Pacific managers to receive a National Diploma in Business (Level 5) and Award in Airline Management through a unique collaboration between ATTTO, Air Pacific and Praxxis Group Ltd.

Air Pacific wanted to provide high level skill-based education for its middle to senior managers. In doing so, the airline has deliberately made a significant investment in the development and promotion of the next generation of local company leaders. Graduates were from all parts of the Nadi-based airline including engineering, ground and flight operations.

Competition for good employees is tough throughout aviation, and similar to other South Pacific operators, Air Pacific deals with the common problems of ‘brain drain’, with skilled workers too often migrating to New Zealand, Australia and the United States.

Through the management development programme, Air Pacific could offer managers an added retention incentive and better position the airline as an employer of choice.

Made possible through the collaboration of ATTTO, Air Pacific and Praxxis Group Ltd, an international training and development consultancy based in New Zealand, customised training was developed which covered the learning topics that best met Air Pacific requirements.

Topics included information technology, marketing, strategy, financial management and employment relations as well as contemporary issues in aviation, industrial relations in aviation, and airline economics.

Topics included courses on organisational behaviour, strategic planning, financial management, employment relations, airline economics, governance, marketing, risk and quality management as well as workshops on business report writing, knowledge management, information technology, accounting, legal frameworks in aviation, and industrial relations.

The recent graduation, the second of its kind, marked the continuing success of this innovative experiment in public/private partnerships based on meeting Air Pacific’s needs and thinking outside the square.

“The point of difference about this programme is that it’s not only specifically tailored to Air Pacific’s needs, but it also meets the criteria for an accredited qualification,” explains Dr. Bernie Frey, Managing Director of Praxxis Group.

ATTTO’s Chief Executive, Elizabeth Valentine hosted the graduation function which was also attended by the former Chairman of Air Pacific Gerald Barrack, Chief Executive John Campbell, Executive GM Corporate Support Josephine Yee Joy and Executive GM Operations / Services Glen Brabant.

Dr. Bernie Frey and Elizabeth Valentine agree: combining workplace learning, supported by on-site block courses delivered by well known academics and consultants provides high quality educational qualifications that add business value. “This is cutting-edge best practice,” says Dr Frey.

Elizabeth Valentine comments, “This is a highly innovative approach to staff development. Air Pacific has been able to provide world class training and development delivered at their own place of operation.  The learning is centred around their individual management roles with immediate application in the workplace. Learning projects are based around real issues, which makes it more relevant and adds immediate value back to the business. In the process participants also receive an internationally recognised qualification.”

Far left: Dr. Bernie Frey, Centre: Elizabeth Valentine