Delta celebrates five successful years of Intern programme in Africa

America’s toast of the moment, Delta Air Lines, is celebrating five successful years of its intern programme in Africa, the airline announced. The scheme offers a 12-month contract to post-graduate students in Lagos, Nigeria; Accra, Ghana; Dakar, Senegal; and Nairobi, Kenya, to gain hands-on knowledge and experience of working for a multi-national company.

In a statement issued to aviation correspondents, the airline noted that the programme underscores Delta’s commitment to Africa, by helping young people from underprivileged backgrounds acquire the skills they need to get ahead in business. The interns, according to the statement, work alongside the Delta sales team in each country, before attending a Delta conference in the Unites States.

Out of the 19 people who have completed the scheme, two are still employed at Delta and the rest have gone on to find managerial positions in a range of industries, become teachers or are furthering their studies.

“It’s often difficult for graduates to get a break in the corporate world so offering opportunities like our intern programme can give them a real step up the ladder as well as learn about the complex nature of working for a global company,” said Bobby Bryan, Delta’s Sales Manager for East and West Africa.

Bryan added that: “Some of our past interns have gone on to gain executive jobs in the public and private sectors. I’m very proud of their achievements and am pleased Delta has been able to play a part in their success.”

One of the interns from Dakar, Donat Tending, has gone on to work at the Spanish Embassy, while Arthur Mills, who interned in Delta’s Accra office from 2011-2012, now works as a Foreign Service Officer at the Ghanaian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Meanwhile, Mumbe Muthama from Nairobi was hired permanently by Delta.

“When I started as an intern, I never thought I would have the opportunity to work for Delta after my contract ended,” said Mumbe Muthama, a former intern and now Sales Executive in Nairobi. “I learnt a lot during the scheme, which has helped me in my career at Delta, such as relationship management, client servicing and sales promotion skills. I feel privileged and proud to still be here three years later,” he added.

With this achievement, Delta has consolidated its position in the continent as one of the most dependable foreign airlines offering rare services and attaining uncommon feats in Africa. This December, Delta will celebrate 10 years of flying to Africa. Currently, the airline flies daily to four points in Africa; Accra, Ghana, Dakar, Senegal, Johannesburg, South Africa and Lagos, Nigeria. It also has sales offices in a number of additional markets, including Kenya and Uganda.

On a global scale, Delta Air Lines serves nearly 180 million customers each year. Little wonder that the airline has been named to Fortune’s top 50 Most Admired Companies this year, 2016, in addition to being named the most admired airline for the fifth time in six years.

Additionally, Delta has ranked No.1 in the Business Travel News Annual Airline survey for an unprecedented five consecutive years. With an industry-leading global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to 312 destinations in 54 countries on six continents.