Field internships represent a crucial bridge between academic learning and real-world application, it does not only enrich their educational journey but also equips them with the requisite skills, experiences, and networks to thrive in their future professional endeavours.

Women empowerment is one of the top three priorities of DP World’s business, this normally takes the guise of supporting female colleagues in their career progression and education, ensuring that DP World’s work sites and the communities where they operate offer more equal opportunities.Therefore, “Future Operator’s Program” has been launched in DP World that aims to strengthen the core of the port model – which are the operations – through the recruitment and development of women talent.

Women selected and hired in this program had the opportunity to learn about the business model and, simultaneously, receive the company’s support for the acquisition of essential licenses for the handling of heavy machinery and vehicles (Type G license) and (Type E license) accordingly.

In addition, DP World carried out a media campaign with the participation of Training and Development department, as well as sustainability team, to promote the program to the media and the community.

In May 2023, 8 women out of 551 applicants has been selected to join this program, and they were welcomed to DP World as operators supported by an introductory talk by the leaders and representatives for each of the areas involved, with special emphasis on Recruitment, Engineering, Human Resources management, and sustainability.

Our 8 operators started their operational line as port assistants which through the support financed for their training in obtaining Type G and Type E professional Driving Licenses and once obtained their respective training, can be incorporated as operators of Heavy Machinery. Moreover, the candidates have started their internships in their respective training schools during Q3 period. For six months, 4 women has been trained to handle cranes with their Type G license, while the other 4 has been trained for 9 months to drive ITV Vehicles with their type E license.

Currently, the 8 operators have their professional licenses and are successfully performing their operational roles at Posorja Terminal.

“I had never driven a car, and working as a forklift operator showed me that overcoming challenges was possible. Not all companies provide these opportunities, and I speak on behalf of all when I say that we are proud because we have set a precedent for women to also perform activities that were previously only for men”. Said Lesly Solis, a graduate of Operators for the Future Program.

By 2030, DP World’s education strategy entails a $35 million investment, impacting 1.5 million students, with a focus on increasing female beneficiaries by over 50% and enhancing opportunities for over 90% of students. Recognising the crucial role of young minds, youth, and women in the logistics industry, DP World aims to bring tangible value through these initiatives.