By Robert Andre Emmanuel
Nearly three months after completing their initial cabin crew training, over a dozen LIAT 2020 trainees are set to resume their programme in the coming weeks, following a delay due to maintenance on the airline’s ATR 42-600 aircraft.
In an update provided to Observer media on Tuesday evening, LIAT 2020 stated that the ATR 42-600 aircraft, which was required for the practical component of the cabin crew training, has now completed maintenance and will be available for the trainees to finish their ground school training.
The airline said it has maintained ongoing communication with the trainees over the last few months, providing updates on the progress of the aircraft’s rehabilitation.
Now, with the aircraft ready, LIAT 2020 has invited the trainees to return and resume the ground school portion of their training from yesterday, November 13.
“Our maintenance team have recently confirmed that the aircraft will complete maintenance in the coming weeks,” the airline said in a statement. “Consequently, our Cabin Services Trainers will now have access to the aircraft to complete the ground school training.”
The cabin crew training programme at LIAT 2020 consists of both ground school and a practical component requiring the use of the ATR 42-600 Aircraft.
However, the maintenance issues with the aircraft prior to the completion of the first phase of the training had halted the continuance and completion of the ground school.
The delay in the training programme left the trainees, who had left their previous jobs to pursue their aviation dreams with LIAT 2020, without jobs or income for several months.
In an earlier report by Observer media, some of the trainees expressed frustration over the lack of communication and transparency from the airline’s management.
Upon successful completion of the ground school, the trainees will be required to undergo a final “In-Flight training” phase, also known as line training, to be certified as cabin crew members and qualify for employment with LIAT 2020.
LIAT 2020 acknowledged the “challenges the company has faced in the last few months” and said it is committed to providing regular updates on matters of public interest going forward.
