ALCOA has announced it has accepted an invitation to become a member of and partner with the National Energy Skills Centre (NESC) and will make an initial contribution of just over $150,000 to the non-profit organisation, which addresses the training and human resources development needs of the energy and industrial sectors of Trinidad and Tobago, a release from the company said.

ALCOA also pledged additional funding of the same sum per year for three years if the company’s proposed aluminium smelter in Cap-de-Ville receives approval from both ALCOA’s Board of directors and the government of Trinidad and Tobago.

Raphael Jones, Chief Executive Officer of NESC, welcomed ALCOA as a member and indicated that this contribution would assist in pursuing the NESC’s mandate “... to provide the necessary training modelled around the skill expectations of new plants targeted for the energy and energy-related industries.”

“Our involvement with and contribution to NESC is tangible evidence of our commitment to education and training that will support the creation of long-term, well-paying jobs within Trinidad and Tobago,” said Randy Overbey, ALCOA’s President of Primary Metals Development.

“We are excited about this partnership and expect it to bring significant benefits to the country’s citizens.”

NESC will design and provide specific training to support the proposed ALCOA operation through the following training modules: industrial maintenance, electrical electronic instrumentation, welding and fabrication, industrial construction technology and heavy equipment maintenance.

The proposed smelter would permanently employ approximately 750 to 800 people directly and indirectly through associated jobs in the region.

Employment during the project’s two-year construction period would likely average about 1,500 people.

Incorporated in July 1997, NESC is a partnership between industry and the government of Trinidad and Tobago.

The organisation’s mission is to equip people with requisite competencies to allow them to benefit from the opportunities presented in the construction, maintenance and operation of plants in the energy sector and to ensure that the human resource needs of industry are met on a timely basis.

According to the release, ALCOA is the world’s leading producer and manager of primary aluminium, fabricated aluminium and alumina facilities, and is active in all major aspects of the industry.

ALCOA serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of ALCOA’s businesses to customers.

In addition to aluminium products and components, ALCOA also markets consumer brands including Reynolds wrap foils and plastic wraps, ALCOA wheels and Baco household wraps.

Among its other businesses are vinyl siding, closures, fastening systems, precision castings and electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks.

The company has 129,000 employees in 43 countries and has been named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.