Bechtel and Petrofac Partnered to Support INJAZ UAE on Innovation Day Camp
University students turned their innovative ideas into successful businesses through mentoring
RESTON, Virginia, December 22, 2015 — Bechtel, one of the world’s leading engineering and construction companies, announced today that it has worked with Petrofac, a leading international provider of oilfield services, and INJAZ United Arab Emirates (UAE) to host a Junior Achievement® (JA) Innovation Day Camp in Dubai. The Innovation Day Camp is part of Bechtel’s Building Future Leaders initiative, which seeks to increase the number of students around the world who benefit from JA’s entrepreneurship and work readiness program.
Bechtel and Petrofac employees working on the Al Taweelah Alumina refinery project in the UAE, mentored 70 Zayed University students on how to turn innovative, entrepreneurial ideas into successful businesses. As part of the Innovation Day Camp, the students were divided into teams and presented with a unique problem and tight deadline. Each team was challenged to develop business plans that incorporated the marketing, financing, and operational aspects of a real enterprise.
“Our employees are committed to making a difference in the communities where we work, and our efforts with INJAZ on the Innovation Day Camp is an excellent example of how volunteers and students are teaming to strengthen the alignment between formal education and skills required in the workplace,” said Charlene Wheeless, head of Global Corporate Affairs at Bechtel. “The student teams that participated were in their first year at Zayed University, which is a great time to expose them to work readiness, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship. This program helps gives a boost to young Emiratis who are looking for exciting and challenging careers in fields like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.”
Bechtel has partnered with JA and INJAZ since 2012. In addition to sponsoring grants, Bechtel supports JA’s growth worldwide by providing volunteers, serving on JA boards, and promoting JA programs in office and project communities. INJAZ was founded in 1999 under Save the Children, a United States Agency for International Development-funded program. In 2001, INJAZ became an independent, non-profit organization in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. INJAZ is a member of JA Worldwide, and INJAZ UAE is projected to reach 210 students in 2015.
“JA Worldwide’s partnership with Bechtel fuels our ability to drive workforce readiness and entrepreneurship education, specifically in the context of STEM fields, to young people around the world,” said Asheesh Advani, CEO & President, JA Worldwide. “Through the Building Future Leaders program, we can introduce the vast career opportunities in STEM fields and enable the next generation of innovators. Our thanks to the more than 400 Bechtel volunteer mentors who committed their time and enthusiasm to deliver programs across 13 countries worldwide, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UAE.”
Bechtel partners with five nonprofits, FIRST®, DiscoverE, Junior Achievement, Engineers Without Borders, and Ocean Exploration Trust, to make a difference in communities where our employees live and work. Read more about Bechtel in communities around the world.
About Junior Achievement
Each year JA reaches more than 10 million students worldwide, helping them develop successful financial management habits, providing entrepreneurship education, and imparting the skills necessary to succeed in a global workforce.
About Petrofac
Petrofac is a leading international service provider to the oil & gas production and processing industry, with a diverse customer portfolio including many of the world's leading integrated, independent and national oil & gas companies. Petrofac is quoted on the London Stock Exchange (symbol: PFC). Petrofac designs and builds oil & gas facilities; operates, maintains and manages facilities and trains personnel; enhances production; and, where it can leverage its service capability, develops and co-invests in upstream and infrastructure projects. Petrofac's range of services meets its customers' needs across the full life cycle of oil & gas assets. With more than 20,000 employees, Petrofac operates out of seven strategically located operational centres, in Aberdeen, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Woking, Chennai, Mumbai and Kuala Lumpur and has a further 24 offices worldwide. For additional information, please refer to the Petrofac website at www.petrofac.com.
About Bechtel
Bechtel is among the most respected engineering, project management, and construction companies in the world. We stand apart for our ability to get the job done right—no matter how big, how complex, or how remote. Bechtel operates through four global business units that specialize in infrastructure; mining and metals; nuclear, security and environmental; and oil, gas, and chemicals. Since its founding in 1898, Bechtel has worked on more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents. Today, its 58,000 colleagues team with customers, partners, and suppliers on diverse projects in nearly 40 countries. www.bechtel.com
