Jan 18, 2012
First Students Complete Aluminium Training Programme
Riyadh, 18th January 2012: Ma’aden today announced the graduation of 166 employees from its subsidiary Ma’aden Aluminium Company (MAC), representing the first batch of trainees participating in a comprehensive training and qualification programme for aluminium operators at Jubail Industrial College.
The programme is part of the company’s long-term plan to increase its number of employees to 6,500 by 2015 with a targeted Saudisation rate of up to 80%. This translates to about 900 jobs per year to be added across Ma’aden’s subsidiaries.
Engr. Khalid Al Mudaifer, President and CEO commented that Ma’aden is committed not only to tapping the Saudi labour market to keep pace with the Kingdom’s Saudisation programme but also in providing the technical know-how to meet industry requirements.
Graduate Ahmed Al Dayel said that he was proud to be among the first Saudis to prepare for a career in the Kingdom’s aluminium industry and commended both Jubail Industrial College and Ma’aden on the quality of the course. Fellow graduate Ahmed Al Zorbi added that the course had a strong emphasis throughout on safety practices and that he is looking forward to putting his training into practice when the project prepares to begin operations.
Ma’aden launched its training programme in 2007 during the construction phase of Ma’aden Phosphate Company (MPC), its joint venture project with SABIC. The programme prioritises residents in the areas surrounding the company’s mines and processing plants. MPC is projected to hire a total of 1,200 employees including 700 Saudis and 477 trainees.
Engr. Al Mudaifer pointed out that MAC is following the same employment model in setting up its manpower structure. He added: “Our training programme reflects Ma’aden’s drive to achieve sustainable development and promotes its policy on social responsibility with emphasis on areas where it operates, in line with the national development.”