Sohar Aluminum expansion will spur downstream industries - Mr Henk Pauw

Mr Henk Pauw CEO of Sohar Aluminum said that Phase II of Sohar Aluminum will not only provide a favorable advantage for the long term sustainability of the smelter but also supply a fully developed downstream with additional metal that will encourage the generation of employment.

Q - What are Sohar Aluminum's future plans?

A - Sohar Aluminum is gearing itself by gradually ramping up our amperage to 390 kA which will eventually equate to an additional 360,000 tonnes of aluminum per annum. The discussions about a possible expansion are gaining momentum but I don't expect a decision before the summer of 2011.

It is noteworthy to mention that Phase II will not only provide a favorable advantage for the long term sustainability of the smelter but also supply a fully developed downstream with additional metal that will encourage the creation of employment at an expected ratio of 1:3 indirect jobs in the next few years.

Q - What are the main challenges?

A - To contextualize that question it is important to understand that Sohar Aluminum was the first green field smelter in the Gulf for 25 years moreover it was the first aluminum smelter ever in the Sultanate of Oman. The most obvious challenge we have faced was the relative inexperience of our workforce in the field of aluminum smelting. In order to resolve this we needed to make a significant investment in on the job training. However, I am proud to say our training is fast becoming one of our strengths. At Sohar Aluminum we have 17 different nationalities and managing a multicultural workforce has had its challenges. Employees have been recruited for the skills they bring to the organization and their contribution has been most significant.

Q - What are Sohar Aluminum's HR Development plans especially for Omanis?

A - At the heart of Sohar Aluminum's training and development strategy is a desire to ensure that our staff has the correct skills, knowledge, motivation and alignment to perform optimally in support of the company's vision and objectives. A clearly defined career path for each position guides the training and development plans for all employees. Career development strategies are aimed at Performance Management, Supervisory and Leadership Development, Individual Development Plans, operator training, and the technical and general skills development of shop floor employees. Coaching and mentoring are on going objectives.

A series of initiatives are under way to help enhance competence and performance levels within the workforce. Notable is our multi functional technical development program aimed at optimizing competence levels by developing a technical Omani workforce that will eventually replace expatriates. Supervisory Development Program targeting line management personnel.

Furthermore, Sohar Aluminum has forged a partnership with Sohar University to assist with the sourcing and development of bright young talent in anticipation of meeting the company's future skills requirements.