Dubal provides special summer programme for technical students

The students began the eight-week programme at Dubal's Jebel Ali site on 5 July 2009, and will be deployed in the company's technical workshop areas so as to obtain the practical experience required to complement their theoretical education in the classroom.

Marwan Al Sawaleh (GM: Human Resources) advises that, to qualify for selection, the nine students were required to satisfy specific criteria. These included their existing knowledge and training in electrical, electronic, mechanical or mechatronic engineering; and a satisfactory score on a test to assess their English literacy levels. "At Dubal, we put the safety of our people and the environment first. As our safety regulations are in English, it is imperative that anyone working on our site is able to read and comprehend the regulations thoroughly - not only to protect themselves but also to safeguard others."

Al Sawaleh adds that the training programme offered to the IAT students is designed to build on their technical skills while providing relevant work environment exposure. Accordingly, the first day of the programme entailed viewing the Dubal corporate film, listening to a presentation on the programme itself, attending a presentation on Dubal's safety regulations, being outfitted with appropriate safety gear, and going on a conducted tour of the plant. The students have since been deployed to Dubal's IT Workshop, Residential Area, Garage, Rigging & Inspection (CMS), Electrical Instrumentation Workshop, and Equipment Repair Shop - depending on their respective areas of interest.

"Our overall aim in conducting this summer programme is to attract IAT students to Dubal, thereby increasing the proportion of UAE Nationals employed by our company. Once they have completed their schooling, we are hoping they will be interested in enrolling for one of our Pre-employment Courses (PECs), which we offer in various disciplines; or signing up for our Graduate Trainee Programme once they complete their tertiary education. It's a proven formula and is in keeping with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Dubal and IAT on 30 June 2008 with the aim of establishing the framework form a training partnership between the two organizations."

says Al Sawaleh.

In terms of the MoU, Dubal has undertaken to provide opportunities for IAT students to undertake worksite visits; employment for IAT students who meet Dubal's workforce requirements; and information about the skills Dubal company requires from the labour force. In exchange, IAT will allow students to undertake supervised worksite visits to Dubal; and to participate in work placement programmes within the company.

Al Sawaleh advises that each of the IAT students has been assigned a mentor. Regular feedback meetings will be held throughout the eight-week period, attended by a representative of Dubal's Recruitment Department, the students' IAT Supervisor and the individual mentors - with the aim of ensuring a positive environment by detecting and overcoming any issues at an early stage. At the end of the programme, each student will receive a certificate attesting to their successful participation during an official farewell ceremony; and will also receive wages for the period of their employment.