Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) is setting a milestone in its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives with the launch of the tenth edition of the ENOC Challenge that aims to empower individuals with special needs by providing them with a career-oriented training programme.

ENOC Challenge is organised in partnership with Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre and has to date trained over 140 students nominated by the Centre to work at different departments of the organisation to gain career skills. Several of the ENOC Challenge participants have entered professional careers.

Saeed Khoory, Chief Executive Officer of ENOC, said: We are thankful to Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre for their continued support to our flagship CSR initiative, ENOC Challenge. The programme highlights our continued commitment to make a positive difference in the lives of special needs individuals by preparing them for rewarding professional careers. This is in line with the vision of Dubai, under the philanthropic outlook and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to be a city that cares for the people and promote their happiness.

Maryam Othman, Director of Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre, said: ENOC Challenge is a remarkable model on how public sector entities can take an active role in supporting individuals with special needs by providing them the requisite skills for leading a productive and positive life. The comprehensive and hands-on approach to the training programme brings tremendous value to the participants by boosting their self-confidence. We congratulate ENOC and thank them for providing training to our students.

As part of the tenth edition of ENOC Challenge, four students from Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre will be offered hands-on training in a diverse range of office related functions. The 17 week long programme will commence with a skill evaluation of the participants.

Accordingly they will be assigned different tasks across various departments of ENOC. All of them will have individual mentors, who have experience in guiding them through the desired career skills. They will be trained to undertake different office roles in addition to being encouraged to work in groups. The courses will cover work ethics, customer service, preparing resumes and job interview training.

Saif Al Falasi, Executive Director - EHSQ & Corporate Affairs of ENOC, added: ENOC is committed to strengthening its CSR initiatives and works with various governmental, private and civil society organisations. We believe that empowering people with special needs by offering them career-based skills is an important step in enabling them to become active partners of the society. Through ENOC Challenge, we are further contributing to building social cohesion.

Over the years, ENOC has demonstrated its thought leadership in undertaking innovative CSR initiatives. Human Fuel, which aims to raise funds for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and Dubai Charity Association to address global hunger, is one of ENOCs key CSR activities. Those who are interested can visit https://wfp.org/enoc, a dedicated and secure website, to make their donation. The donations will go towards special programmes, such as school meals, to provide food where it is most needed.

The organisation has won Asias top laurel for Best Corporate Social Responsibility Practices at the Asian Leadership Awards, and the Bizz Award, one of the most prestigious business awards world-wide, for outstanding corporate social responsibility practices.