Young Emiratis graduate from EGA national training programmes and receive vocational qualifications recognised by KHDA

United Arab Emirates, 17 February 2020: : Emirates Global Aluminium, the largest industrial company in the United Arab Emirates outside oil and gas, today held a graduation ceremony for 50 young UAE Nationals who completed specialised National Training and Open Learning programmes offered by EGA. These graduates were also the first in EGA’s history to be awarded vocational qualifications recognised by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), which regulates the technical and vocational education and training sector in Dubai.

The graduation was attended by His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Cabinet Member and Minister of State for Higher Education and Advanced Skills.

EGA’s national training programmes enable high school leavers to gain the skills, experience and qualifications to take up operational roles in EGA’s aluminium smelters and power plants and take up to a year to complete. EGA’s Open Learning programme provides opportunities for employees to obtain higher academic, vocational, or professional qualifications while still holding a full-time position at EGA. The training involves accredited online courses that support employees in their career paths.

H.E. Dr. Ahmad bin Abdullah Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education and Advanced Skills said: “Training is the essential pillar for building human cadres. It is the mechanism that provides our most valuable capital - our people - with the knowledge and skills that qualify them to excel in the UAE’s vital sectors. With the evolution of the labour market characterised by numerous challenges and changes, we encourage the development of company training programmes integrated with scientific institutions across all sectors in the UAE.

Such programmes will better raise the readiness of the UAE’s young people to meet the demands of the future employment landscape.”

His Excellency praised the launch of the EGA Training Academy as an important step in qualifying citizens in specific industry fields. He stressed the importance of developing the Academy in line with the latest global training standards and of enhancing its role in building a national training base. This, he said, would create a new generation of craftsmen and women equipped with the knowledge and capabilities to drive innovation, develop national industries, and further advance the global status of the UAE.

The KHDA licensed EGA’s long-standing Technical Training Institute in 2017, making EGA the first UAE industrial company able to offer programmes leading to vocational qualifications recognised across Dubai.

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of EGA, said: “Recruiting and developing the best people for our future remains a key priority for EGA. I congratulate these young UAE Nationals on completing their training and look forward to their contribution to our business. Our long-standing commitment to providing opportunities for young UAE Nationals enables us to contribute to harnessing the full potential of the UAE's human capital in line with the UAE Vision 2021.”

During the ceremony, EGA introduced its new integrated Learning and Development portal, ‘My Learning’, which offers employees a one-stop-shop to access the numerous learning opportunities available at the company. The new training centre, which combines modern blended learning and technical on-the-job programmes, aims to unlock the unique potential of all employees, in all areas of the company.

EGA has focused on the recruitment and development of talented young people for decades. The company provides a wide range of courses and programmes designed to enable UAE Nationals and new job entrants to reach their full potential through extensive training and development. EGA has run National Trainee Apprenticeship Schemes since 1982.EGA also provides management training and qualifications accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management, a part of City and Guilds, the global accrediting body. Around 2,500 staff attend management training courses each year, from graduates to executive leaders.