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.