Times of Oman: Shell celebrates completion of social investment projects: “During the event, Shell also launched its gift to the nation to mark the Sultanate’s 35th National Day, pledging $10 million for the establishment of a new fund to support the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Oman.”: Sunday 18 December 2005
MUSCAT — The Shell Representative Office Oman hosted a function yesterday to celebrate the successful completion of a number of social investment projects implemented during 2005 and unveiled several new initiatives for 2006.
The function, held under the patronage of Mohammed bin Al Zubair, adviser to His Majesty the Sultan for Economic Planning Affairs, was attended by a number of senior government officials and dignitaries from various organisations in Oman.
During the ceremony, held at Grand Hyatt, Shell celebrated the graduation of 54 students from two of its recently completed training programmes: Sales and Marketing for Women and Construction Supervisors.
An outline was also presented of the various other initiatives completed during the year, including the Shell Road Safety Awards, the introduction of road safety into the education curriculum and several other training-for-employment programmes.
Addressing the audience, Dr Andrew Wood, Shell country chairman in Oman, said: “It has once again been encouraging to see how, by matching the provision of tailored vocational training with guaranteed employment offers from private sector organisation, we have been able to provide meaningful work opportunities for all of the young men and women who have followed these programmes. Their enthusiasm and determination is truly infectious!.”
Shell also signed three agreements recently, jointly with Opal and the relevant institutes, to provide three more training-for-employment schemes, all of which have either already started or are planned to commence before the end of 2005. These projects include the training of 20 young Omanis as oil and gas technicians at the International Maritime College, the training of 32 young Omanis in scaffolding and the training of 20 young Omanis in Auto-CAD. All of the students will be employed in various private sector companies in their relevant fields of expertise.
These initiatives form part of a programme of initiatives being pursued by the Shell Representative Office Oman to help young Omanis further their education and personal development with the aim of assisting them to gain meaningful employment.
Shell’s Social Investment programme in Oman is managed by a panel, headed by Sheikh Al Fadhl bin Mohammed Al Harthy, undersecretary for development at the Ministry of National Economy, and representatives from the Ministry of Oil and Gas, the Ministry of Interior and Shell.
During the event, Shell also launched its gift to the nation to mark the Sultanate’s 35th National Day, pledging $10 million for the establishment of a new fund to support the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Oman.
The fund will be based on the integrated provision of business development assistance and risk capital to Omani SMEs. The fund will draw upon the proven business model implemented by Shell Foundation in several other countries.
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