The third Qatalum summer internship programme concluded recently after two months of industry exposure and training.
The programme was designed to help students bridge the gap between their studies and a career in the industrial workforce, possibly within the aluminium industry at Qatalum.
The programme included on-the-job, computer and soft skills training, giving 10 Qatari university students the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities as well as interest in the aluminium industry.
The eight-week programme ran from June 11 to August 1.
In addition, a total of 20 high school Qatari students from Qatar Independent Technical High School participated in a two-week summer programme from June 23 to July 4.
During the course of the training, students got a chance to spend time in a Qatalum department - technical or non-technical - in order to be introduced to workplace ethics, become familiar with the work environment, learn about the company, the plant and the industry, and enhance their understanding of the tasks and responsibilities associated with a complex industry.
It also gave them the opportunity to discover for themselves the preferred role they might wish to seek upon graduation.
The programme concluded with a series of messages and presentations from Qatalum’s CEO and HR manager as well as representatives of Qatar University, College of the North Atlantic - Qatar and Texas A&M University at Qatar.
As a key component of Qatalum’s corporate social responsibility strategy and its promotion of Qatarisation, the internship programme started in 2011 as the company’s management sought to encourage Qatari students from high schools and colleges to apply for an intensive two-month summer programme.
The programme aims to assist the students in planning their careers and also help Qatalum identify promising and enthusiastic candidates from within the next generation, thereby laying the groundwork for long-term human capital within the company.
During a ceremony, in which certificates were awarded to the participants, Qatalum CEO Tom Petter Johansen said: “We are delighted that the third summer programme has been a huge success - the most rewarding yet. The feedback we are receiving from students and the Qatalum team tasked with working with them has been extraordinary.”
Qatalum HR manager Faraj al-Abdulla said: “The programme allows participants to seize the opportunity to become the next generation of leaders in our industry. We have sought to ensure that the time is used to its full potential, making sure that the participants get a full range of experiences, skills and knowledge that they will take back with them and use in the future.”