Emirates Global Aluminium Strengthens Commitment to Emiratisation with Record Recruitment of Emirati Women
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), one of the largest and most significant industrial companies in the United Arab Emirates, has made a noteworthy advance in its recruitment efforts for the year 2024. On a recent Thursday, EGA celebrated its achievement of hiring 113 Emirati women out of a total of 220 Emiratis brought on board throughout the year. This impressive statistic highlights the company’s commitment to enhancing gender representation in its workforce, particularly in supervisory and leadership roles.
EGA has set ambitious targets to ensure that women hold 25 percent of supervisory positions by the end of this calendar year and aspire for women to constitute 15 percent of all roles by 2026. Currently, women represent 23.3 percent of supervisory roles and a mere 9.6 percent of the overall workforce, indicating both progress and the need for further efforts in promoting gender inclusivity within the organisation.
As it stands, EGA’s Emiratisation rate, which reached an impressive 44.3 percent by the close of 2024, is among the highest for a major company in the UAE, particularly given the significant number of industrial roles that typically present barriers to local employment. This rate is a reflection of EGA’s continuous commitment to develop a workforce composed predominantly of UAE Nationals, thus contributing to the nation’s broader economic objectives.
Looking ahead, EGA is determined to accelerate its Emiratisation initiatives with a goal of achieving a 50 percent Emiratisation rate by the end of 2027. To reach this ambitious target, EGA plans to recruit an impressive total of up to 600 UAE Nationals over the next few years. This initiative not only underscores the company’s focus on local talent but also signals a robust investment in the future workforce of the nation.
Among the new hires for 2024, 144 Emiratis, including 65 women, enrolled in EGA’s National Training programmes. These programmes are specifically designed to equip high school graduates with the technical and administrative skills necessary for careers at EGA, either in the operational sectors or administrative functions. This focus on early training underscores EGA’s strategy to build a sustainable pipeline of skilled professionals who are well-versed in the engineering and management practices necessary for success in modern industry.
Moreover, the majority of graduates recruited into EGA’s long-established Graduate Training Programme in 2024 were female. These graduate trainees undergo an intensive training regimen lasting either 18 or 24 months, aimed at preparing them for supervisory roles across corporate functions and industrial operations. As part of their training, those in operations are also required to gain firsthand experience by working shifts in roles they will eventually oversee, such as managing reduction cells, thus providing them with a comprehensive understanding of the operational landscape.
Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, the Chief Executive Officer of EGA, lauded the company’s recruitment efforts, stating, “More than 71 percent of our 2024 UAE National recruits joined roles in EGA’s operations, driving forward our vision for excellence and our contribution to achieve the goals of the UAE’s industrial strategy, Operation 300b. Our unwavering commitment to Emiratisation enables us to capitalise on exceptional UAE National talent to maximise our growth and contribute to the economic development of our nation.”
EGA’s proactive approach not only enhances its operational capabilities but also aligns with the broader vision of the UAE to diversify its economy and empower its citizens. As the country shifts toward greater industrialization and sustainability, initiatives such as these are crucial in ensuring that the local workforce is equipped with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive.
In conclusion, EGA’s recruitment initiatives reflect a significant stride towards fostering a more equitable workplace within the Emirates. The company’s dedication to attracting and nurturing Emirati talent, particularly among women, serves as an exemplary model in the region’s broader efforts towards economic diversification and social inclusion.
Tags:
#BusinessNews #EconomyNews #UAE #Emiratisation #WomenInBusiness