Pål Beite Hindhammer and Morten Jensen
In Sunndal 3 and 4, the aim is to have two apprentices on each shift – at all times. In recent years the plant has played a leading role in making it possible for apprentices who want to take a certificate of apprenticeship to do so.
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| Lærlingene Pål Beite Hindhammer (t.v.) og Morten Jensen sammen med Oddbjørn Flatås, personal- og opplæringskoordinator ved verket. (Foto: T. Aasland). |
It has become an important goal for the metal plant in Sunndal that as many operators as possible should have a certificate of apprenticeship. In May, a new group of 25 apprentices began a structured course leading to a qualifying exam at the end of the work experience period. They work full time, take the course in their spare time, and take the exam as private candidates. 32 apprentices who started the same course in the autumn of 2005 have now taken the exam, and all of them passed.
”In a metal plant which has a flat structure and decentralized steering of operations, the individual operator has to make a lot of decisions alone. This means that we need to build up competence – continuously!” says Oddbjørn Flatås, HR & Training Coordinator in the Prebake Electrolysis unit.
Active training over two years
The candidates have their course fee covered by the employer, who also finds a technical teacher – either an engineer from the metal works or an external, hired-in instructor – who the candidates can work alongside once a week. The practical training includes operating furnaces, tapping, and anode changing. In order to be able to take the final qualifying exam, a total of 60 months’ relevant work experience is required, and the individual apprentice must have followed the plant’s own training scheme.
Both theory and practice
Morten Jensen already holds two certificates of apprenticeship, but metallurgical processing has not been part of his training. “The theoretical part is probably the most demanding aspect for me, but it’s a great support that there are several of us from the same shift who can discuss the assignments we have to complete. There are a number of reasons why I want to gain this apprenticeship certificate. Two of the most important ones are that I think I would do a better job – and have more job security,” he says.
Pål B. Hindhammer has both chemistry and processing subjects from sixth-form college. “Having experience from the job means that I’m not so worried about the practical tests, and the fact that there are several exam modules gives us greater confidence with regard to how we are doing,” he says.
The metal plant in Sunndal can also offer further training for technical operators – a course scheme that closely resembles those given at technical colleges.
