Training and Development

CEO Message

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Alba Training and Development:
Fostering a Competitive Workforce At Alba, we believe our people are our strongest asset. Employee Training and Development have been a cornerstone of our Company since its inception. We offer one of the most advanced programs in the Kingdom, focusing on training employees according to international standards of excellence across all fields. In today’s dynamic business environment, a skilled and adaptable workforce is crucial for success. At Alba, we prioritize Employee Development through comprehensive training programs, fostering a competitive edge.

Safety is Our Priority: We successfully implemented ESG awareness training for all employees along with targeted Safety programs for those under the Skills Matrix and Training Development Programs (TDP). This equips our workforce to handle emergencies effectively and upholds the highest safety standards. To ensure employees stay up-to-date on the latest Safety protocols, many participated in multiple courses throughout 2023. As a result, the total number of training participants (3,666) exceeded the Company’s headcount of 3,150. We also welcomed over 3,790 contractors who participated in Safety-related trainings. A total of 32,572 training hours was registered for these Safety trainings.
Optimizing Resources with Al Hassalah Top-up: Our commitment to cost efficiency is evident in initiatives like developing new in-house courses and conducting external training within Alba’s facilities. This not only reduces expenses but also allows for closer supervision and quality control.
Investing in the Future: We actively sponsor employees’ academic pursuits through partnerships with local and international universities. Additionally, our unique Al Jisr development program empowers a select group of high-

potential individuals. These investments ensure a future-ready workforce equipped with the latest knowledge and skills.

Embracing Innovation: Alba takes pride in pioneering VR-based training for potline emergencies, a testament to our commitment to utilizing cutting-edge technology to enhance employee preparedness.

By prioritizing employee development through these comprehensive programs, Alba fosters a highly skilled and adaptable workforce, enabling us to surpass industry standards and excel in the competitive global market.

We view talent development as an essential investment. Through continuous skills training and education, we empower our employees to innovate and adapt while at the same time drive growth.

Training KPIs – Occupation-wise, Gender-wise, Management and Non-Management wise:

Training figures for 2023 including Contractors’ workers

Total Training Hours

561,769.67 hrs

(Alba)

Total Training Hours

640,660.67 hrs

(Alba + Contractors)

Total Training Hours

78,891.00 hrs

(Contractors)

Training Percentage

6.9 %

As a responsible Bahraini company, we strive to create a unique and exceptional work environment. This commitment extends to fostering a strong learning culture and continuously developing our Bahraini talent.

Community Engagement

Alba actively contributes to the community through partnerships like INJAZ Bahrain. In 2023, 55 Alba volunteers delivered 12 unique training programs across 170 sessions, totaling 898 hours. This commitment demonstrates our dedication to youth development and knowledge sharing within the community.

Empowering Female Employees
Alba recognizes the importance of fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. A key pillar of this commitment is our investment in targeted training programs specifically designed for our female workforce. We are committed to providing targeted training programs specifically designed for our female employees. In 2023, we collaborated with NIHR Bahrain, to conduct sessions on Human Rights, Mental Health, and Equal Opportunities. These sessions were highly successful, with a remarkable 88% of the 102 participants being female employees. This strong participation rate underscores Alba’s dedication to fostering the professional development and well-being of our women.

Training figures for Female employees :

Training figures for Female employees

13,869.96 hrs

No. of Female Employees in 2023

102

Female Training Average

135.98 hrs

Employee/Year

CEO congratulates +30 employees on successful completion of diploma programmes

Training: Higher & Above
Alba partners with numerous educational institutions to provide learning and development opportunities for its employees. These partnerships are established through formal agreements, including Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).

Local collaborations: Alba works with universities like Kingdom University (KU), University of Bahrain (UOB), Arabian Gulf University (AGU)/ESSEC-FABC, Ahlia University, Bahrain Institute of Banking & Finance (BIBF), and Bahrain Polytechnic (BP).
International partnerships: Agreements exist with the Nasser Vocational Training Center (NVTC) in Bahrain and the University of Huddersfield in the UK. A total of 96 Alba employees are currently enrolled as students in Diploma, BSc & MBA Programmes as well as Ph.D at the above mentioned education institutes:

7

Number
of MBA
Students

1

Number
of M.Sc.
Student

8

Number
of B.Sc.
Students

69

Number of
Top-up B.Sc./BE
Students

10

Number
of Diploma
Students

1

Number
of Ph.D
Student

VR Training for Pot Line Emergencies:
Bus Bar Installation, Power Outages, and Equipment Failures Alba takes employee training to the next level with Virtual Reality (VR) for pot line emergencies. This innovative program utilizes VR technology to create a safe and realistic environment where employees can:

Develop skills and knowledge necessary to effectively handle critical situations in pot lines.
Experience simulated emergencies that would be impossible or too risky to practice in the actual plant.

The VR Training Program offers several benefits:

Immersive learning: Trainees gain a deeper understanding of complex emergency scenarios, equipment behavior, and parameter changes.
Effective practice: Employees can practice the best methods and approaches for handling emergencies.
Competency evaluation: The program includes an assessment to ensure trainees are equipped to manage real-world situations.

2024: Making Strides
Moving forward, the Training & Development Department will ensure the continuity of established programs such as initiatives like Al Jisr and the Master Training Plan which are crucial for ongoing employee development while at the same time investing in future-oriented training to equip its employees with the skills and knowledge needed to meet the Company’s evolving needs.

Alba Implements Virtual Reality Training Courses in Partnership with Atyaf e-Solutions

CEO Message

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT