There's good news for those of you aspiring for a career in the skies. The Kingfisher group has launched the Kingfisher Training Academy in Mumbai, offering a certificate course in aviation and hospitality management.

The programme consists of four modules � 'The New You', a personality development segment; 'Firmly on the Ground', ground personnel training; 'Soaring in the Sky', cabin crew in-flight service training; and a training module on hospitality in the hotel industry.

Says Kunal Vasudeva, head of projects and business development at the Kingfisher Training Academy, "The main objective of our institute is to groom individuals into professionals in their respective fields. It will act as a one-stop shop where the unemployable qualities of the aspirants will be identified and rectified to make them fit into the professional field".

The students will be given specific pointers in overall personality development, with special emphasis on confidence level, impression management, social skills, etiquette and projecting a career-driven image in the social circles.

• How to conquer the skies

The ground personnel training module mainly deals with how to handle challenging situations off the aircraft and on the ground. Candidates will be given specialised training in various airport services including customer handling, dealing with situations like flight delays, baggage claims and offering efficient customer assistance at the airport.

Students will be given intensive training sessions on in-flight cabin crew service as well. They will be familiarised with the various aspects of onboard flight services, service delivery and aviation safety measures during a flight.

The module on hospitality will deal with front office/ reception management, food and beverage production, service support and in-depth information on various varieties of services and cuisines.

The institute also boasts of state-of-the-art training facilities, equipment and learning aides. The centre has an Airbus 320 cabin services simulator where students will get first-hand experience of their responsibilities on board a flight.

The institute has a computer-based training room along with a food and beverage service laboratory. Students are provided with e-learning tools and a 'virtual university' -- a single window portal through which students can use the internet for their academic requirements, e-assistance and other related tools.

The duration of the course is six months with two-hour sessions scheduled for five days a week and a three-month long fast-track mode with four-hour sessions on weekdays. The class timings have been made flexible for the benefit of the students.

• Train to be a commercial pilot

The tuition fees have been fixed at Rs 1,00,000 and the academy plans to induct a fresh batch of students on a fortnightly basis. The first batch of 100 students began training on May 22, 2007. The academy has also tied up with Vijaya Bank [Get Quote] to provide financial assistance to students interested in taking the course.

"We are planning to open as many as 30 centres across the country so that we can extend these services to all aspirants from second and third tier cities," addes Vasudeva.

Candidates who have passed the class XII exams are eligible to apply by downloading the application form (www.kingfishertrainingacademy.com/registration.htm). For further information, they can contact the institute at (022) 67803800 (9am to 6pm) or write to Kingfisher Training Academy Limited, Times Square, Western Express Highway, Andheri (E), Mumbai 400069, email: enquiry@kingfisheracademy.com.