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Alcoa Volunteers in 25 Countries Work to Improve Global Education and Workplace Skills October 2-10, 2004

Alcoa Volunteers in 25 Countries Work to Improve Global Education and Workplace Skills October 2-10, 2004

Published 10-05-04

Submitted by Alcoa Inc.

This week (October 2-10), thousands of Alcoa (NYSE:AA) employees in more than 170 communities around the world will volunteer their time as part of the second annual worldwide volunteer event focusing on global education and workplace skills. Taking Action-Alcoa's Worldwide Week of Community Service will involve employees from 25 countries in volunteer projects such as:

  • Working with Asociacion Hermana Tierra, an organization in Lima, Peru, that provides special education to abused and neglected children;
  • Presenting environment, health and safety lessons to elementary school children in Sao Paulo, Brazil;
  • Guiding visitors through environmental tours and frog-spotting expeditions at the Spectacles Wetlands in Kwinana, Australia;
  • Providing safety training to high-school students learning to drive in Noblejas, Spain;
  • Collaborating with the Texas Workforce Center to engage juvenile offenders in an innovative program known as 'Future Builders' that provides them with computer skills training, mentoring and career options;
  • Rebuilding a farmhouse in Portoscuso, Italy, to be used by the Boy Scouts for educational programs;
  • Building a climbing wall and teaching environment, health and safety in the workplace to students at Ecole du Bon Pasteur in Cap-Sante, near Alcoa's Deschambault, Quebec, Canada, location;
  • Hosting a national videoconference with Alcoa's Women's Network of female executives and Girl Scouts to promote business as a career path for girls; and
  • Teaching U.S. English as a second language to recent immigrants in order to promote full employment opportunities.

    In addition to the hands-on activities of thousands of volunteers, Alcoa will recognize nonprofits/non-government organizations (NGOs) for their service to communities.

    "Investing in our communities means helping them to develop tomorrow's workforce which must be literate, highly skilled and culturally diverse to succeed," said Alain Belda, chairman and chief executive officer of Alcoa. "Our Worldwide Week of Service focuses our efforts globally and draws public awareness to the critical needs in each community, and to the people who make a difference."

    While Alcoa employees have been volunteering in their communities for decades, Alcoa's programs that began in the past three years - ACTION (Alcoans Coming Together In Our Neighborhoods) and Bravo! - formally recognize and encourage teams and individual employees with grants to the organizations they serve. In 2003 alone, these two programs recognized nearly 5,000 employees who volunteered in over 100 communities around the world, earning $1.2 million in Alcoa grants to those communities and organizations.

    Taking Action is an annual weeklong event that unites Alcoa's employee engagement efforts around the world and focuses attention on critical issues such as education, the environment, health, and safety. For more information on Taking Action events around the globe, visit the Community section of www.alcoa.com under Employee Volunteerism.

    About Alcoa

    Alcoa is the world's leading producer of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina, 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 aluminum products and components, Alcoa also markets consumer brands including Reynolds Wrap(R) foils and plastic wraps, Alcoa(R) wheels, and Baco(R) household wraps. Among its other businesses are vinyl siding, closures, precision castings, and electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks. The company has 120,000 employees in 41 countries. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.

    About Alcoa Foundation

    Established in 1952, Alcoa Foundation is a global resource that actively invests in improving the quality of life in more than 29 countries around the world where Alcoa operates. The Foundation's grants address global and local need in Areas of Excellence that include: Conservation and Sustainability, Global Education and Workplace Skills, Business and Community Partnerships and Safe and Healthy Children and Families. Alcoa Foundation manages the ACTION and Bravo! Programs. For more information about Alcoa Foundation, visit www.alcoa.com, under Community.

  • Alcoa Inc. logo

    Alcoa Inc.

    Alcoa Inc.

    Alcoa (NYSE:AA) is the world's leading producer and manager of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum 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 aluminum 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 closures, fastening systems, precision castings, and electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks. The company has 129,000 employees in 44 countries and has been named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com

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