Email | Print

Comment

Recommend this story (*)

[-]Text[+]

• Two-month skills development initiative promotes professionalism in young UAE nationals, enhances employability

A group of 65 students from high schools, colleges and universities across the UAE have acquired new skills this summer, courtesy of the annual two-month Summer Training programme offered by Dubai Aluminium Company Limited (DUBAL) – the world’s seventh largest producer of primary aluminium and the UAE’s industrial flagship. 
 
The programme, which ran for the months of July and August this year, serves two primary purposes:

• It helps realise the vision of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance and Chairman of DUBAL, to raise the standards of professionalism among young UAE Nationals as a means to accelerate the prosperity of the entire nation; and


• It contributes to DUBAL’s ongoing corporate Emiratisation strategy by raising awareness and understanding of DUBAL’s business.

 
Marwan Al Sawaleh, General Manager: Human Resources and Organisation Effectiveness at DUBAL, reports that the participating students were selected from several educational institutions throughout the UAE, including various schools, UAE University, the Higher College of Technology, and the American University of Sharjah, Sharjah University, NIVE and IAT. Each of the 65 trainees was assigned to one of DUBAL’s diverse divisions according to their respective qualifications, educational standards and relevant skills. During the two-month period, the students were given comprehensive and in-depth insights into DUBAL’s major operations and facilities, plus instruction on technical functions and administrative tasks.
 
"Each year, DUBAL uses the Summer Training programme to identify the students with the most potential, with a view to offering employment,” says Mr Marwan. “The success of this approach is such that many students who have attended the programme in the past currently hold senior positions within the company: some 74 percent of executive management positions are filled by UAE Nationals at present. Through this and other initiatives, we aim to recruit a total of 240 Emirati people to DUBAL during 2008."
 
The programme culminated in a ceremony on 21^st August 2008 at which participation certificates and gifts were presented. “The students enjoyed the experience, saying that the skills they acquired will benefit them as they continue their studies as well as in their working careers,” says Mr Marwan. “From a corporate perspective, they left with a better understanding and enhanced perceptions of DUBAL, which we believe will encourage more UAE Nationals to consider heavy industry as a promising career option.”

Email | Print

RECOMMEND THIS STORY

Your Vote 1 2 3 4 5

Average Rating

Add your own comment: