Training center aims for perfection

Training center aims for perfection

By Lukman Natanegara

JAKARTA (JP): Human resource development is one of the main
concerns of the state-owned flag carrier Garuda Indonesia.

Garuda proves it by continually modernizing its training
facilities in Duri Kosambi, West Jakarta.

Visitors are first impressed by the green setting of the
eight-hectare center and once they see the array of aviation
training equipment there, they might also feel as if they are
flying.

The facilities, which were established in 1984, have been so
impressively developed that other airlines also use it to train
their staff.

These airlines include domestic carriers Sempati Air, Pelita
Air Service, Merpati Nusantara airlines, Trigana, and
international airlines like Korean Air, Air Niugini, Philippines
Airlines, Malaysian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Iran Air.

The center provides facilities for aviation training,
including cockpit procedural training for pilots, training for
cargo agents, tour and travel agencies and training in
appropriate speech and behavior for cabin crew.

Other airlines mostly use the center's simulators. The center
has flight simulators for B-747-200s, DC-10-20s, A-300-B4s, F-
28s, B-737-300/400s and MD-11s.

Much of the center's efforts are, however, devoted to training
cabin staff.

According to P.R.F Mambu, Garuda's cabin crew manager, the
main requirement for Garuda's cabin crew is height. The minimum
height for a steward is 165 centimeters and a stewardess 157
centimeters.

They have to pass tests on attitude, character, physical
health, proficiency in English, and general knowledge.

"We apply the knockout system whereby if a person fails the
first test, he or she is automatically eliminated from further
testing. So you can see how difficult it is to get through,"
Mambu said.

After passing, the would-be stewards and stewardesses begin a
training course at the center, which lasts for six or seven
months. In addition to training on service, attitude, character,
appearance and personality, they learn about the basics of
security.

And the results? Mambu says the center's graduates are praised
by other airlines.

"An official of Singapore Airlines once told me how he was
astonished at seeing our cabin crew work so tirelessly," he
boasted.

Mambu said the crew sign a four-year contract, during which
they are not allowed to marry.

"They may do so after the contract expires and they can
remain a crew member until the retirement age of 45 years old,"
he said.

He said additional subjects such as the state ideology
Pancasila, tourism, human interaction and international knowledge
were covered.

The students are divided into small classes, each with 20
pupils at most, to enable them absorb the lessons well.

The new stewards and stewardesses are assigned their ranks in
the form of stripes, the highest is four stripes. It takes at
least four or five years to get a stripe.