Hand-picked technical students benefit from special summer programme at Dubal

The eight-week programme, which ran from 5 July to 27 August 2009, gave the students a structured introduction to working in an industrial environment along with valuable hands-on experience in their respective fields of speciality.

The individual students, who were from diverse engineering backgrounds (electronics, auto-mechanic, mechanical and general engineering) were deployed in the Jebel Ali-based company's technical workshop areas - specifically the IT Workshop, Residential Area, Garage, Rigging & Inspection (CMS), Electrical Instrumentation Workshop, and Equipment Repair Shop - so as to obtain the practical experience required to complement their theoretical education in the classroom. Each student was assigned an individual mentor and regular feedback meetings were held, attended by a representative of Dubal's Recruitment Department, the students' IAT Supervisor and the respective mentor.

The students also attended a presentation on Dubal's safety regulations, were outfitted with appropriate safety gear, and went on a conducted tour of the plant. The programme concluded with a small farewell function, at which certificates and gifts were presented to the students. Dubal also paid each student a small salary, as additional motivation for completing the programme.

"This year's IAT students' summer training programme was very well received by the students and their mentors; and the feedback received was extremely positive. Its success reflects the well-established relationship between Dubal and IAT; and highlights the superb quality of training offered by our company."

says Marwan Al Sawaleh (GM: Human Resources).

"Our overall aim in conducting this annual summer training initiative 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," says Al Sawaleh. "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 organisations."

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.