Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) and engineering firm Bechtel hosted a group of Emirati students from the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) at Khalifa Port to offer them an insight into the operations of a mega port.

The event, aimed at providing Emirati students an opportunity to explore career interests in the shipping and trade industry, was held in partnership with Injaz UAE, a member of Junior Achievement Worldwide.

Students from HCT toured Khalifa Port and Khalifa Industrial Zone (Kizad) and met Emirati employees at ADPC and Kizad to discuss career development opportunities for UAE nationals at ADPC.

ADPC officials and Bechtel representatives highlighted the diverse career opportunities available on major infrastructure projects. The students also took part in a workshop that included identifying solutions to real-life engineering challenges encountered at the project.

Tawfeeq Al Mubarak, executive vice-president, Strategy and Corporate Support, ADPC, said: “Our career development program aims to help Emirati employees to facilitate their participation in achieving Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision 2030, which envisages the development of a knowledge-based and sustainable economy. We hope several of the students who visited us today will ultimately chart excellent careers here at ADPC.”

“The engineering students have gained an understanding of the working of a world-class port. This knowledge will be of great help when they are choosing a niche field for specialization in their higher studies and careers,” added Ashraf Alkhaznadar, executive vice president, Projects, ADPC.

Through tie-ups with Zayed University, Abu Dhabi University and University of Sharjah, ADPC offers several opportunities to students throughout the year to learn about career-development opportunities first-hand.

“Bechtel places an emphasis on training and skills development wherever we operate,” said Steve Kay, Bechtel’s programme manager for Khalifa Port and Kizad.

“This is our 50th anniversary of working in the UAE, and we are delighted to mark the occasion by, together with ADPC, sharing the benefits of our knowledge and experience with the next generation of Emirati engineers.”

Bechtel partners with Junior Achievement globally to promote education, especially in the streams of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). As part of the partnership, Bechtel runs a series of Job Shadow days around the world featuring a one-day, on-site mentoring experience. – TradeArabia News Service