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Sohar Aluminium will officially launch its first Sohar-based training program at a special ceremony on Monday 22 January 2007, attended by HE Hamad Khamis Al Amry, the Under Secretary of Technical Education and Vocational Training, Ministry of Manpower, Sohar Aluminium CEO Tony Kinsman and other local officials.

More than 70 young Omanis from the Batinah region and other parts of Oman will participate in the 12-month program, which will be based in Sohar.

“Sohar Aluminium is proud to take the initiative to recruit and train young Omanis as part of our Omanisation commitment,” said Sohar Aluminium Human Resources General Manager, Kalat Al-Bulushi. “These trainees will eventually play a major role in the operation and maintenance of Oman’s first aluminium smelter.”

The first six months of the program will by conducted by Rusayl Institute and will equip trainees with generic and technical skills. The second half of the program will provide participants with specific smelter-related and on-the-job training provided by Sohar Aluminium’s international experts.

After successful completion of the program, the trainees will join the company in either the Maintenance or Operations departments as mechanical and electrical technicians or multifunctional technicians.

“To date, the total number of trainees to join Sohar Aluminium is 114,” John Thurling, Training manager of Sohar-Aluminium added. “We recruited 42 young people last year who will finish their training program in July 2007. Much of their training was conducted on our behalf by PDO and they are now undergoing on-the-job training at our smelter site.”

Sohar Aluminium’s shareholders are Oman Oil Company, Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority, and Alcan. The company was established in September 2004 to construct and operate a single AP35 potline aluminium smelter with an associated power plant.

The smelter is targeted to start its first production of hot metal in 2008.