DUBAL reaches out to recruit school-leavers

The multi-phased initiative began at the beginning of April 2008, when the aluminium giant hosted 137 students from the Institute of Applied Technology (IAT) in groups over a three consecutive days.

The visit, which was organised and co-ordinated by the company's dedicated National Programmes & Development department, entailed the students and their educators viewing the DUBAL corporate film, going on a plant tour, and learning about the DUBAL Pre-Employment Course: Craft Programme.

More recently, a delegation from DUBAL's National Programmes & Development department visiting three secondary schools in the UAE, where a presentation was made to male students in their final high school year.

The presentation highlighted the job opportunities available to high school leavers, after graduation; and provided an overall view of the training programmes available in DUBAL. Specific interest was teased in enrolling for the next intake of DUBAL's Craft Programme, in September 2008.

Essentially an accredited apprenticeship training initiative, the PEC Craft Programme prepares UAE National school-leavers for employment as Maintenance Craftsmen (Technicians) in DUBAL's different maintenance areas.

The technical knowledge and skills training provided to trainees, who come from different educational backgrounds, empowers them with internationally recognised standards of competence. It also creates a foundation for further development of UAE National trainees in technical subjects, for employment in the plant and even further education at a later date.

Access to the four-year PEC Craft Programme is open to individuals, aged between 18- and 23-years-old, holding a high school certificate in science or technical subjects; or with relevant work experience.

The course content combines theoretical study with practical on-the-job experience in electrical, mechanical or instrumentation maintenance. Throughout the training period, trainees are expected to demonstrate, through written and practical tests, their ability to achieve pre-set percentage pass marks to remain on the course. On successful completion of the programme, course graduates are offered employment as full-time Junior Maintenance Technicians in their respective disciplines.

DUBAL's Mohammed Al Owais (Head of National Programmes & Development) confirms DUBAL's ongoing commitment to succession planning and to remain the employer of choice in Dubai by saying, "We offer PEC programmes in various disciplines; as well as a graduate training programme; a work placement programme; and an accelerated development programme.

As a result of these, the overall proportion of UAE Nationals employed by the company is currently 22%, with the at senior management level being above 70%. Some 38% of supervisory level employees are UAE Nationals, dropping to 17% at non-supervisory level. These levels compare extremely favourably against Dubai's average Emiratisation level of 4%."

At the end of December 2007, DUBAL employed a total of 3,904 people representing 31 nationalities. The employment demographics are almost equally split between men and women, with UAE Nationals accounting for 43% of the female staff complement.