SBWC’s ‘Apprentice Initiative’: New platform for businesswomen

The programme launched on Emirati Women’s Day furthers SBWC’s mission to achieve women’s full integration in the national economy by empowering them with practical knowledge and the skills required to launch and operate successful businesses in both traditional and non-traditional sectors. 

All SBWC members can enrol for this training programme by filling their applications  on https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SBWCApprenticeENG before September 8. Under the tutelage of SBWC board members and members of the Council’s Committee, selected participants will undertake a comprehensive learning journey where the mentors will first identify their specific areas of interest. This will be followed by a couple of weeks of preliminary meetings with mentors and business owners to discuss each participant’s business idea and determine its viability.     

This will be followed by hands-on training during which each participant will benefit from looking into the real-time functioning of a business, as they spend their days learning and networking in the offices, workshops and workspaces of their respective mentors.  

In the programme’s last couple of weeks in December, each apprentice will receive detailed feedback about their business and operational plans from their mentors. They will also be connected to a host of suppliers and other key contacts in their field. The training will culminate with participants having concrete business and marketing plans. However, the length of each fellowship will vary depending on the required meetings and support.

‘Real-time on-the-job learning will be crucial to understanding current market dynamics’

Speaking about the initiative, Mariam Bin Al Shaikh, Director of SBWC, said: “As the nation celebrates the tall achievements of Emirati women in shaping the UAE as one of the most desirable places in the world to live and work, we at SBWC take a new step in empowering future generations of female leaders.  The Apprentice Initiative is in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah and, his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed al Qasimi, Chairperson of NAMA, to bring expert, hands-on learning opportunities for successive generations of women”.

“The regional and global economy of the 21st century has a very different character, and in the past couple of years has witnessed major pandemic-induced transformations. The hands-on training in this apprenticeship where participants will be able to watch successful, fully functioning businesses in their chosen fields from behind the scenes, will be an absolute game changer for them. While theoretical knowledge is important, real-time on-the-job learning will be crucial to understanding current market dynamics and set strategies and business plans accordingly”, she added.  

Meet the mentors 
While the Food & Beverage sector will be handled by Nawal Al Nuaimi and Sara Al Awadhi, Engineering  and Interior Design will be managed by Shafia Alkheyaili. Apprentices for Perfumery will be under the tutelage of Olympia Tabach and Dr Lina Alsamkari, Gergana Abdulrahman, Audrey Truchi, while Fashion will be the domain of Wafa Balaswad and Maitha Al Ansari. Sheikha Al Sarkal and Alia Bin Omair will train those venturing into Jewellery businesses. Meanwhile, Technology will be under the purview of Nada Al Lawati, Al Reem Al Ammari and Maryam Al Junaibi.