DUBAL exceeds global industry standard for average training day per employee in the aluminium industry

The average training day of 3.5 per employee at DUBAL during 2004 was way ahead of the global industry average of less than 2.75.

This is being achieved under the guidance and support from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, The UAE Minister for Finance and Industry and Chairman of DUBAL, who always maintains that improvement of employees' skills, will ensure better industry standard and higher quality in the workplace. This is to guarantee continued and increased global appreciation of the UAE's progressive measures towards overall human development.

'On its part, DUBAL places extra emphasis on continuous measures towards excellence which depend on sustained quality training and development for all employees. In fact, the company has accomplished this feat only through its commitment and determination to excel in training in all its areas of operation,' said Mr. Saif Murooshid, Director, H.H. The Chairman's Office and General Manager, Human Resources and Organisation Effectiveness.

For the year 2004, DUBAL conducted 1,267 training courses out of which 522 were related to operations, 135 linked to environment, health and safety in the work environment and 64 on management development courses. The rest were related to quality improvement and information technology (IT).

All DUBAL management courses are certified by the Institute for Leadership & Management (ILM) in the UK, which has over half a century of experience in management development and recognition of achievement through accreditation and membership. All DUBAL technical courses are certified by City & Guilds, the leading provider of vocational qualifications in the UK.

Out of the total number of courses conducted, 1,186 were organized in-house by the Dubal Training Centre. For the year 2005, DUBAL will be organizing more than 1,300 training courses. Out of this, 1,200 courses will be organized in-house.

'The number of courses that we conduct at DUBAL is an indication of our stress on quality, safety-related measures and overall development of our employees,' said Mr. Saif Murooshid.

'In order to upgrade areas that need the latest technology and expertise on our future course, DUBAL is also sending employees abroad for further studies. As a part of this programme, we sent four employees to pursue their Master's degree in areas relevant to the aluminium industry during 2004. For this year, we are planning to send more number of employees abroad so that they can bring back with them the technical skill and know-how that will further benefit the company,' said Mr. Ibrahim Nasser, Manager, Human Resources Department, DUBAL.

Since 1998 DUBAL has sent more than 25 managers to two of the world's most renowned and highly reputed institutions - IMD, Lausanne, Switzerland and INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France. IMD is one of the world's leading business schools with over 50 years' experience in developing leadership capabilities of international business executives at every stage of their careers. INSEAD is widely recognised among the world's top-tier business schools as one of the most innovative and influential. To date, DUBAL has spent more than AED 9 million towards such high-quality training programmes and will continue to send more managers on such important leadership and management development courses.

Meanwhile, DUBAL has once again proved its commitment towards nationalization of the UAE industry by recruiting 100 new national staff and meeting the target set for the year 2004. This figure represents a 3% increase over the year 2003. Currently, UAE national staff represents 22% of the entire workforce at Dubal. For 2005, the company is planning to hire 120 nationals.

'Over the past 25 years DUBAL has been playing a leading role in ensuring enough trained nationals are employed. These nationals are provided adequate guidance for their future role so that they excel in their jobs. This significant step is part of the effort towards DUBAL's commitment to nationalization,' added Mr. Ibrahim Nasser.