The training programme ‘Mehnati’, organised by the Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah, an affiliate of the Rubu’ Qarn Foundation for Creating Leaders and Innovators, concluded recently, under the theme of the year 2020 “Towards the next 50”.

Held at different government and private companies in Sharjah, the 8-day programme saw the participation of 220 young ladies aged 13 – 18 years. Mehnati aims to nurture the participants’ expertise and skills, offering them the opportunity to acquire hands-on experience to facilitate the selection of careers that contribute to developing the labour market in the future.

Participants were trained to make optimum use of communication, planning and leadership skills and basic work ethics that align with the needs of labour market.

The girls participated in an array of discussion panels conducted by a host of Emirati and Arab influencers, like Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director of FUNN.

On the sidelines of the programme, Sajaya hosted a discussion panel that featured Wajdan Ali al-Mazmi, Fire fighter, Mona Rashid Abdullah al-Kaabi, Aircraft technician, Suad Sultan Khatam Hassan al-Shamsi, Aviation Consultant, and Maryam Ghaleb Al-Obthani, Laboratory officer (Science Collage).

Sheikha Aisha al Qasimi, Director of Sajaya, said: “In line with ‘2020: Towards the next 50’, Sajaya, seeks to build a generation of empowered women, upskilling them to become active partners and collaborators to the nation building process, and ably fill in the gaps in the national job market. By training the youth and furthering their engagement in the labour market Sajaya plays a vital role in enabling them to contribute to the development of the nation. We are keen on the implementation of strategies that align with the inclusive development process. We seek to build generations who can face the challenges of the labour market and boost progress across the UAE.”

She added: “We launched this programme to give the participants access to knowledge that will help them to bolster their careers and learn the best way to develop their skills and capabilities. The courses and sessions conducted by a host of experts also gave the participants the opportunity to gain a fascinating insight into the skill-sets and expertise that can bolster their personal and professional life in the future.”