The coronavirus pandemic has ravaged the world. It has put economies down to its knees and global activity to a standstill. Internationally and locally, governments, companies, and private individuals have felt the debilitating effects of COVID-19.
The virus may have clipped the wings on many businesses, but amidst the outbreak, one thing turned out to be the sublime truth: surviving the pandemic is an accomplishment beyond any amount of profit.
International Cabin Attendant Training School or ICATS based in Pasig is one such entity, surviving the months-long lockdown and eventual transition to eased restrictions, to emerge adapted to the new normal and government-set protocols.
And all of this, with the goal of being one with the tourism industry in bouncing back after COVID-19 put a halt to an otherwise burgeoning government-backed tourism boom in the country.
"With our desire to ensure ‘SAFETY FIRST before SERVICE’, we believe that the situation will not change, let alone improve, until a vaccine is approved, which according to experts will take one to two years to develop,” said Princess Joy L. Garcia, ICATS President and Chief Executive Officer.
The amiable founder of the TESDA-accredited flight attendant school said that the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) adopted by the government to contain the spread of COVID-19 (and its extension) has severely affected different businesses and industries including ICATS, which primarily delivers skill-based and in-person training for aspiring flight attendants.
"We can no longer operate under the “New Normal” since we are restricted from providing participative classroom and group learning. In fact, our training operations have ceased since the implementation of the ECQ,” she explained.
But Garcia said “in the pursuit of continuing our purpose whilst adhering to future government safety and health protocols, ICATS has decided to refocus operations by utilizing ‘online learning platforms,’ allowing the company to continue training students through a remote learning system. The world is indeed going through a difficult and uncertain time and all of us have had to take unprecedented steps in order to deal with this crisis.” to which Garcia detailed in her message.
“Commercial Airlines and the rest of the Tourism Industry sectors may have been facing trying times this season but we can still see a light at the end of the tunnel here. The industry will sure make its way up soaring again, we will only bounce back and never perish. Better and stronger, and when that happens, ICATS will still be there” she continued.
Garcia noted that as ICATS embraces this "New Normal,” they will use this time to rebuild and make ICATS bigger and better and to soar greater heights, preparing its wings to unfold again when the economy and the tourism industry makes its inevitable rebound.
The exec also announced the creation of online programs for flight attendant aspirants entitled;
(1) FLIGHT 101- INTRODUCING THE LIFE OF A FLIGHT ATTENDANT (The New Norm) which is a half-day webinar that will provide aspiring flight attendants an initial look on how it is to work in an Airline industry.
The program promises attendees that they will be able to grasp the real “life” of a FA by learning firsthand from former international flight attendants themselves. The speakers aim to help and inspire more the participants in making career decisions in life.
(2) FLIGHT 102- EXPERIENCING THE LIFE OF A FLIGHT ATTENDANT is an 6-hour webinar course that will open the eyes of aspiring FAs to the importance of their roles as crew members in the Aviation Industry.
This will increase their awareness on how they would prepare and improve their PERSONAL SKILLS as a fundamental to the pursuit of this career. The knowledge and information they will gain will guide them in their decision-makings as they journey their way in finding their own place in the sky.
(3) FLIGHT 103- TRANSFORMING TO A LIFE OF A FLIGHT ATTENDANT is a 15-day online training class designed for aspiring individuals who believe that further equipping themselves with the basic knowledge, enhance their skills and attitude, are necessary to prepare them into becoming a competent flight attendant, ready to soar 30,000 feet above sea level.
TRANSFORMING THE LIFE will have to come to its full completion as this program goes beyond the 15-day training. At the end of the program, ICATS grants each trainee one successful Job Assistance Program. A hands-on “start to end” assistance as they through the journey of getting a job in the airline industry until they land in an airline of their choice.
Learn what it takes to be a FLIGHT ATTENDANT at the comfort of your own homes.
“Safety First before Service”! Always the ICATS Way! ICATS declaration as they embrace this temporary “New Normal”