Course paves way for women to work in energy

A huge, semi-submersible oil rig being built by the Gulf Piping Company at its shipyard in Mussafah. More Emirati women could be working in the sector thanks to a new initiative.

More Emirati women could be working in the energy sector in the future due to an initiative involving two energy companies. Twenty-three female students from the Higher Colleges of Technology recently took part in the Ma'bar al Najah, or Bridge to Success, programme, which is designed to prepare them for careers in the oil and gas industry. As part of the 100-hour programme, the students visited the Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations' Bu Has oil field production site and the company's main offices. They also visited the Dolphin Energy and Emirates Simulation Academy, where they trained on simulators that demonstrate the workings of oil field and gas combined-cycle power plants.

The course, much of which took place at the Madinat Zayed and Ruwais Higher Colleges of Technology, involved sessions including environmental awareness, time management, team work and critical thinking. "This initiative has helped to prepare Emirati university students for energy sector employment, teaching them specific skills aligned with labour market demand," said Ibrahim Ahmed al Ansari, Dolphin Energy's UAE general manager.

The summer course is one of five offered by the Emirates Foundation's Tawteen programme, which aims to secure private sector support for initiatives to increase the number of Emiratis working in the private sector. @Email:[e-mail]