STELCO Managing Director Ahmed Shamaah Rasheed has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating more opportunities for women across multiple fields, including skilled technical professions. He made the remarks at the certificate awarding ceremony held for the 116 women who successfully completed STELCO’s Beginners Electricity Course for Women.
Speaking at the event, MD Shamah said President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has placed strong emphasis on empowering women and ensuring they have equal access to career pathways traditionally dominated by men.
“The President has maintained a clear and unwavering vision of providing opportunities for women and paving the way for their advancement. Aligned with this vision, STELCO’s Beginners Electricity Course for Women stands as a highly valuable and meaningful initiative,” he said.
A Programme Breaking Gender Barriers
Shamah noted that training women in electrical work — a field historically led by men — represents an important step towards gender inclusion and long-term social progress.
He added that the positive response to the programme demonstrates both interest and potential among Maldivian women to build technical skills.
“Empowering women in such fields will yield highly desirable results for society. This is just the beginning,” he said.
116 Women Trained Across Seven Batches
The certificate ceremony was attended by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed, STELCO Managing Director Ahmed Shamaah Rasheed, and Deputy Managing Director Aishath Muzna, who jointly awarded certificates to the graduates.
The training, conducted free of charge as part of STELCO’s corporate social responsibility efforts, was open to all women aged 16 and above. Participants came from diverse backgrounds and age groups.
The programme was delivered in seven batches, each consisting of three days of training, with three-hour sessions per day. A total of 116 women completed the course, while 80 received certificates at the ceremony.
Hands-On Skills for Everyday Electrical Safety
During the course, participants received practical, beginner-level training in:
- Safely handling electrical tools
- Troubleshooting common household appliance issues
- Identifying potential electrical hazards
- Learning how to reduce electricity consumption at home
The programme was delivered by STELCO’s experienced technical staff, ensuring participants gained real-world knowledge and confidence in electrical basics.
Investment in Wider Technical Training
MD Shamah also highlighted STELCO’s broader commitment to expanding vocational training opportunities. He noted the recent opening of the State Utility Skills Academy in Thulusdhoo — a dedicated facility equipped to train up to 50 individuals at a time in utility-related technical fields.
The academy aims to support long-term workforce development and provide pathways for women who wish to continue beyond entry-level courses.
A Step Forward for Women’s Empowerment
Shamah reiterated that creating access to career development and income-generating opportunities for women remains a central priority for the government and for STELCO.
“With programmes like this, we are not only giving women new skills — we are giving them new possibilities,” he said.
