Dubal enlists 35UAE Nationals for summer training programme

　　Dubai, United Arab Emirates:  In line with the company's Nationalization strategy, the Recruitment department at Dubai Aluminium ("DUBAL") has launched its annual Summer Training Programme - an initiative that aims to improve understanding of the aluminium industry's workings amongst young UAE Nationals while providing training in business ethics and practices. Sultan Al Sabri (Vice President: Human Resources & Organisational Effectiveness) advises that this year's intake, which comprises a group of 35 secondary and tertiary UAE National students, began the three-week programme on Sunday 1 July. "While at DUBAL, the youngsters will be exposed to a real-life working environment, through which they will not only acquire technical and practical skills but also mature as individuals," he says.

　　As in prior years, DUBAL's 2012 Summer Training Programme participants were selected from several educational institutions throughout the UAE. The group comprises both male and female students from high schools, colleges and universities. It also includes university students on DUBAL's Scholarship Programme who are contractually bound to work at DUBAL for the summer vacation periods throughout the duration of their funded studies (and for an equivalent number of years thereafter).

　　"Our Summer Training Programme reflects DUBAL's commitment to fulfil the vision of H H Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance and Chairman of DUBAL), who believes that improving individual UAE Nationals' skills, is key to accelerating the prosperity of the entire nation," adds Al Sabri. "We also use the programme to identify the students with the most potential, in keeping with our long-term goal to increase the proportional Nationalization in DUBAL. Many previous summer students currently hold senior positions within DUBAL, where more than 65 per cent of executive management positions are currently held by UAE Nationals."

　　DUBAL's Recruitment department welcomed the 2012 Summer Training Programme participants at a special orientation session where the students were given a comprehensive and in-depth introduction to DUBAL's major operations, including insight into its facilities (through viewing a film on DUBAL) and familiarization regarding the company's safety policies and procedures. Interactive activities were introduced for the first time this year, which not only helped to break the ice but also opened channels of communication between the trainees.

　　Each of this year's Summer Training Programme trainees has been assigned to one of DUBAL's various divisions, depending on their respective qualifications, educational standards and relevant skills. For example, students with a business background have been allocated to departments in the administrative area, including human resources, training, marketing & sales, and finance. While at DUBAL, the students will also receive instruction on technical operations, as well as courses in administration.

　　"The Summer Training Programme receives the whole-hearted support of our departments," concludes Al Sabri, "Not only do they accommodate as many students as they respectively can, but they also commit to and deliver a proper training plan to the students. In addition, they assign mentors to the students and provide regular follow-up feedback to our Recruitment department. The overall process ensures that the students learn as much as possible from DUBAL, thus ensuring that our investment in their education is