More than 40 Bahrainis have graduated from the Vocational Training Programme conducted by Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) and developed in association with Tamkeen, Bahrain’s labour fund.

Alba’s chief executive, Tim Murray, chairman of Alba’s Labour Union, Ali Bin Ali as well as Tamkeen’s acting vice-president – Human Capital Development, Amal Al Kooheji presented the certificates and commended each of the trainees for successfully completing the two-year programme.

The Vocational Training Programme has been in operation for over 25 years, and provides eligible candidates with hands-on training in maintenance, power operation and smelter operation and various other aspects of engineering relevant to Alba’s operations.

Al-Kooheji said: “Tamkeen’s human capital development programmes seek to enhance the capabilities of Bahrainis to make them employees of choice. Over 47,000 Bahrainis have benefited from more than 100 such programmes to date, with more than 15,000 served in 2012 alone – a 32 per cent over 2011.

“The increase can be attributed to our shift towards making our programmes more diverse and employer-driven to achieve better alignment with real employment needs.”

Murray added: "Alba’s Vocational Training Programme presents a highly structured, clearly defined and sharply focused approach towards achieving Bahrainisation goals. Its success can be measured by the fact that many of its graduates have been absorbed into the workforce and some of them occupy senior decision making roles in the company.

“For us at Alba, the programme is not just a profound example of our corporate social responsibility initiative but also a tangible expression of our national duty as a flagship company of Bahrain."

Applicants for the Vocational Training Programme need to be Bahraini nationals under 25 years of age, and require a minimum national diploma or equivalent qualification in the field of engineering.

The programme has eight phases and each of the phases comprises both class room and practical components. It also includes modules on work ethics, language, team building and other technical modules. – TradeArabia News Service