EGA welcomes 30 UAE National students for summer internships in STEM

United Arab Emirates, 22 July 2018: Emirates Global Aluminium, the largest industrial company in the United Arab Emirates outside of oil and gas, will provide internships for 30 UAE National university and high school students this summer, giving them valuable work experience to enhance their career prospects.

EGA’s internship program is principally designed for young UAE Nationals studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (which are collectively known as STEM). EGA employs more than 1,500 professionals in STEM fields including some 500 UAE Nationals.

‘UAE Vision 2021’ calls for improved educational attainment in science and mathematics and the development of a knowledge-based economy. In a study commissioned recently by EGA, 68 per cent of young people said that access to role models and internships would motivate them to pursue STEM-related careers.

Ahmed Al Shamsi, EGA’s Executive Vice President of Human Capital, said: “Early work experience can have an important influence on a student’s career choices. We hope that many of this year’s interns will choose to pursue STEM careers in the UAE’s industries, and perhaps even join some of their predecessors as EGA employees one day.”

EGA has been running its summer internship programme for more than 20 years.

EGA’s 2018 summer internship programme runs from mid-July to mid-August, and will give students an opportunity to work at EGA’s industrial operations and in head office departments.

Ahmad Sadiq Ahmad, now a graduate trainee in EGA’s Capital Projects department, said: “My summer internship at EGA in 2016 was a valuable learning experience that opened my eyes to the opportunity of a STEM career in industry. After completing my studies I joined EGA as an engineer, and feel that I am now making a tangible and material contribution to the development of the UAE. I’m proud of what I do.”

EGA currently employs more than 1,200 UAE Nationals in total. The company aims to Emiratise 40 per cent of in-focus positions by 2020. EGA finished 2017 with 37.6 per cent Emiratisation, a record for the company.

EGA is currently sponsoring more than 150 UAE Nationals in their university studies in STEM and other fields. EGA has sponsored more than 300 students through higher education since 2001.

EGA typically has some 120 graduate trainees, many from STEM disciplines enrolled in its 18-month graduate trainee programme at any time. Seven members of EGA’s Executive Committee originally joined EGA as fresh graduates.

EGA also runs apprenticeship schemes for young UAE Nationals pursuing careers in technical roles.

The announcement of EGA’s summer internship program coincides with World Youth Skills day on July 15th. This United Nations designated day seeks to generate greater awareness of the importance of vocational education, training, technical and developmental skills relevant to both local and global economies.