Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), one of the world’s largest smelters, has opened a state-of-the-art training centre, which will focus on strengthening core skills of employees and contractors.

The opening ceremony of Alba’s new Training centre was held amidst a host of dignitaries including Subah Al Dosari, Ministry of Labour undersecretary, Mohd Al Ansari, labour affairs assistant undersecretary - Ministry of Labour, and Alba’s executive management and managers, said a statement from the company.

The training centre consists of Training Administration Building having four classrooms and administrative offices, and the Training Workshops Building, a two-storey building spread over 2,500 sq m, which houses nine smart classrooms, and workshops dedicated to each of the five maintenance disciplines of automotive, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and hydraulics and pneumatics, it said.

Alba’s training centre will focus both on technical skills and leadership development, it added.

The new training facility has a separate store to house tools and spares used during training, and an amenity facility with locker rooms, dining hall and prayer room, said the statement.

Alba's employee strength currently stands at nearly 3,000, and Bahraini nationals comprise 87 per cent of the total work force.

The company’s Training & Development Programme is one of its major initiatives to support Bahrainisation and empower the nationals with necessary skills to boost their calibre as professionals and provide ample opportunities for career advancement.

Tim Murray, chief executive officer, Alba, said: “At Alba, we believe nothing is more valuable than education. The training and development of our employees play a crucial role in the company’s ability maintain its position as a leader in the aluminium industry.” – TradeArabia News Service