SriLankan sponsored IATA Global Aviation Human Capital Summit ends

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The SriLankan Airlines sponsored, second International Air Transport Association (IATA) Global Human Capital Summit, 'Talent for Tomorrow', concluded yesterday at Colombo Hilton.

Nishantha Wickramasinghe, Chairman SriLankan Airlines delivered the inaugural speech

Pradeepa Kekulawala, Head of HR SriLankan Airlines delivers a presentation on Flying throughTurbulent Times Leveraging the people factor

IATA Registration desk at the conference venue

Speaking to Daily News Business , Dr. Guido Gianasso, Vice President, Human Capital, IATA said that Aviation is a challenging industry and the key success factor is its people. "We, as the heads of HR, have a very challenging job and we aim towards finding people with high skills and talents," he said.

"This industry is diversified in its workforce where we have pilots, cabin crew, mechanics and many others. While there are many HR events around the world, there are many issues that are unique to the Aviation industry so we wanted to hold a summit where we bring together Heads of HR of Civil aviation, service providers and Ministries of Aviation to meet up and discuss, share best practices and develop joint initiatives and activities."

"This is the second time the summit is being held and we selected Sri Lanka for this year as the host country. We believe that hosting this event would also help the country's recovering tourist industry."

"We appreciate the support of our host airline and principal sponsor, SriLankan Airlines, and the warm hospitality of the Sri Lankan people," Gianasso added.

The two-day symposium drew the best in global aviation to share and discuss a myriad of topics and experiences from the field of Human Resource Management (HRM). For SriLankan, the summit is a highlight of its own achievements as an exceptional contributor to the development of human resources in the aviation sector.

Head of Human Resources , SriLankan Airlines, Pradeepa Kekulawala added, "We are excited to host this event and of the opportunities and exposure it will afford the airline and our country in terms of networking, and exhibiting the talent and resources."

Recently, the airline's training arm, the International Aviation Academy (IAA), became one of IATA's top ten Authorised Training Centres in South Asia and embarked on a series of new initiatives, including the setting up of its first overseas branch in the Maldives.

The event will provide exposure to IAA and its capabilities and potential as a major training centre in the region that is working towards meeting the talent and skill requirements of the sector.

SriLankan Airlines is partnered by Sim Industries; Airbus Industrie; Standard Chartered Bank; Sri Lanka Convention Bureau and Aitken Spence Travels & Tours as key promoters and sponsors.

Foreign participants were also afforded a Cultural Exposure tour of Colombo's myriad of attractions hosted by SriLankan Airlines and Aitken Spence Travels. The tour included the National Museum, temples, local handicraft centres and Urban Shopping malls.

Kapila Chandrasena, CEO SriLankan Airlines delivers a presentation on the The Future of SriLankan Airlines as an emerging Force in South Asia	Guido Gianasso IATA Vice President Human Capital during the opening address	SriLankan airlines staff at the help desk