Minister Plenipotentiary Drs. Gracita R. Arrindell
attended the launch of the Cari-Aire Aviation Internship Program last week at the Cabinet
of the Minister Plenipotentiary of Curacao at the Curacao House in The Hague. The launch
was attended by the ministers of plenipotentiary from Aruba and Curacao.
This internship program focuses on strengthening the aviation sector across all six islands
of the Dutch Caribbean. It is an initiative by the Netherlands Ministry of Infrastructure and
Water Management (IenW) and the Caribbean aviation authorities, implemented in
collaboration with the WeConnect Foundation.
“I think this internship program is a great initiative which has opportunities for Sint Maarten
prospective students interested in the aviation sector. The information gathered will be
passed on to the ministers in charge of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport,
and the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications.
“We look forward to such an internship opportunity be established on Sint Maarten as well,
especially given our geographical hub position in regards to the aviation sector,” Minister
Plenipotentiary Drs. Gracita Arrindell said.
Stichting WeConnect is an educational non-profit foundation founded in 2013. WeConnect
connects the Netherlands with Curacao, Aruba, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Saba and Sint
Eustatius through educational (multimedia) projects. Students and young professionals are
central to its projects.
Three interns will begin a six-month internship this week with the aviation authorities of
Curaçao and Aruba.
Cari-Aire aims to enhance safety within the aviation sector. Specifically, the focus is on
promoting expertise related to governmental tasks, such as aviation inspection and
expertise in legislation and policy.
The selected interns will gain hands-on experience while bringing fresh, innovative
knowledge, skills, and energy to support local employers in the aviation sector. This is
particularly important as the aviation industry faces challenges, including the need for
qualified personnel and an aging workforce.
The three interns are studying Aviation at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
(HvA). For example, 22-year-old Ghyslaine Sambo is in her third year and will undertake a
shadowing internship to explore various aspects of the aviation authorities.
Aruban Charles Huntington (24) is excited about his internship at the Department of Civil
Aviation Aruba (DCA).
For Abdullah Kendir (27), this internship marks the completion of his Aviation studies at
HvA. With extensive work experience, including at Schiphol, he looks forward to his
introduction to Curaçao.