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Netherlands - 2005
Netherlands Training Extends from Least to Most Experienced
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Through the use of structured programs, Alcoa's Drunen location in the Netherlands is helping new members of the workforce gain experience and more experienced members gain new skills.
To help get young people interested in both Alcoa and the aluminum industry, Drunen invites students to the plant for presentations on Alcoa, aluminum, and the types of jobs available in the industry. The location also offers internships in a variety of functions, including production, engineering, communications, and finance. The internships generally last from three months to a year, with many interns applying for a position with the company following graduation.
"Professionally, my internship has helped me further develop my skills in several fields," said Jonne Rennen, an intern with Drunen's Human Resources Department. "I'm also gathering much more knowledge about human resources as a profession. On a personal level, this internship helps me get some more understanding of and insight into my own strengths and weaknesses and my interests for different aspects of the job."
Adds Harm van Dommelen, an intern with Drunen's Add Fab Department, "Because Alcoa has many employees who are, in most cases, very experienced, a student can learn a lot from his or her colleagues. And by using students who have a fresh or new way of thinking and who are used to other kinds of work methods, the company can improve its strategy."
At the other end of the spectrum, Drunen group leaders and team leaders were given the opportunity to formerly assess their competencies against the jobs they were in. The results helped the location place people in the right function during a restructuring and to also identify individual training needs to close any competency gaps. Employees will receive 360-degree feedback in 2006 to measure progress against their development goals.
"The assessment and courses have really helped me further develop my leadership skills," said Jos Muijzelaar, group leader for Drunen's Ingot Plant. "The first sessions really helped me define the gaps I have in my knowledge and skills, and I've been able to learn and train to close these gaps. I've definitely improved my communication skills, and I've also achieved a better understanding of the production processes. I've really grown as a group leader, and I'm learning everyday to become an even better leader than I am right now."
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