Bahrain-based Gulf Aluminium Rolling Mill Company (Garmco) is set to launch 'Aspire' - a new human capital development initiative aimed at optimising the number of Bahraini employees.

Under the programme, Garmco will provide up to 100 eligible participants with classroom and on-the-job training across key departments including production, engineering, quality control and administration, leading to permanent employment with the company, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

Participants will be on a two-year closed 'trainee employee' contract under the supervision of the Labour Ministry which is subsidising the programme as part of its long-term plans to combat unemployment in Bahrain.

“We applaud this human resources development initiative by Garmco, which supports the measures being taken by the government to find work for 6,700 unemployed Bahrainis through an ambitious plan to create up to 10,000 new jobs in the private sector,” Labour Minister Jameel Humaidan said.

Garmco chief executive Graham Bruce said an attractive remuneration package will be offered, comprising a competitive salary, benefits such as health cover and life insurance, and a two-year career development plan supported by comprehensive training and certification.

“Each participant will also be assigned a personal mentor under the supervision of Garmco's Technical Training Centre,” he added.

“Bahraini nationals currently make up 86 per cent of Garmco's 600-strong workforce, and we plan to increase this to between 90 and 95 per cent over the next few years,” Bruce added.

The Aspire programme will be managed in collaboration with the Bahraini-owned Origin Group, which is working on a number of employment and human capital development projects in the kingdom.

“We will bring to bear our proven experience and expertise in providing human resource consultancy and development solutions in order to contribute to the successful outcome of the Aspire programme,” Origin Group chief executive Ahmed Al Banna said.

Aspire is open to unemployed male and female Bahraini nationals aged between 21 and 35 years, and holding a technical secondary certificate (national diploma), a higher national diploma or a bachelor of science degree from a reputable institution.

Completion of the classroom training will lead to relevant certification from international bodies approved by the Labour Ministry.

These include the UK City & Guilds Diploma in Engineering Principles, and the International Computer Driving Licence.

Other non-technical classroom training will cover English language, first-aid, health and safety, and soft skills such as communications.

Monthly, quarterly and annual performance appraisals will monitor the progress of participants.

At the end of the programme, successful candidates will be suitably qualified to take up full-time job opportunities in the kingdom's industrial sector, and have first choice of permanent employment with Garmco, one of the largest downstream aluminium facilities in the Middle East. - TradeArabia News Service