Dubai Aluminium Company initiates major training drive for UAE nationals

Dubai Aluminium Company Ltd (DUBAL), one of the world's largest producers of premium quality aluminium in the world, has recently initiated a major drive aimed at training and employing UAE nationals within its sprawling smelter.

In line with its strategic initiative to prepare the UAE nationals for their future career and improve their technical skills as approved by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister for Finance and Industry and Chairman of DUBAL, the aluminium giant has launched three major apprenticeship training programmes.

Mr. Ibrahim Nasser, General Manager, HR&OE, DUBAL, said: 'The three pre-employment courses with varying durations focus on three different categories of jobs. These are maintenance craft, firemen training, and the smelter department.'

The four-year accredited Pre-employment Course Craft (Apprentice) programme includes the first-year foundation programme handled by the Etisalat Academy and the remaining three years at DUBAL premises where candidates will have theory and practical on-the-job experience in electrical, mechanical and instrumentation fields. The course with 30 trainees started on August 10, 2006.

'On successful completion of the course, graduates will be offered employment as full-time Maintenance Craftsmen in the specific areas/departments, said Mr. Nasser.

Other courses are Pre-Employment Course Fire Programme, and Pre-Employment Course Smelter Programme.

Mr. Nasser said: 'A new one-year Pre-Employment Course has been introduced this year to prepare five UAE nationals for employment as Firemen, who will be trained to internationally recognized standards of competence.'

The course objectives include delivering technical knowledge and skills to trainees recruited from various educational backgrounds and to identify candidates and prepare them for further development to meet DUBAL's nationalization targets. The trainees will complete the first year theoretical/on-job training and on completion will work full-time on shifts with the Fire Department to gain practical experience.

The six-month Pre-Employment Course Smelter Programme is in its second round and the course has already started with 26 trainees on September 10, 2006.

This programme also provides theoretical knowledge and practical and on-the-job work experience. On successful completion, graduates will be offered employment as full-time Utility Operators and will be allocated to a specific smelter area.

'DUBAL has been organizing several programmes for the benefit of the UAE nationals and we are sure these three programmes will immensely help the budding talents among the NAE nationals. We are keen to continue training UAE nationals in various skills for employment at DUBAL,' remarked Mr. Nasser.