Majid Al Futtaim has launched the first private-sector coding program designed specifically for women. The declaration follows the government-led effort ‘Projects of the 50,’ which aims to lure 100 coders to the UAE workforce every day in the next five years and achieve the greatest percentage of female coders per capita in the world.
Majid Al Futtaim will give a prominent platform for women in tech to impact the industry, after the inauguration of the UAE’s National Programme for Coders in July, which aims to encourage talent, competence, and innovation in the field of coding. The programme will target university students, fresh graduates, career women, and upskilling MAFers, with the goal of training 5,000 women over the next five years. The UAE government, industry, and academia will collaborate to develop a dedicated tech community for interactive information sharing.
Commenting on the launch, Alain Bejjani, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Holding said, “There are numerous invisible barriers that discourage women from pursuing a career in the digital space which has a knock-on effect, further widening the skills and gender gap. Research suggests that women make up only 28 percent of the global tech sector’s workforce and with the industry booming, now is the time to change this trajectory. The technology sector has tremendous opportunity for gender parity, and by creating the first corporate-led coding program for women in the UAE, we are committed to developing and nurturing the untapped potential that exists locally.”
Majid Al Futtaim will launch a number of programmes to encourage women to pursue careers in technology by giving possibilities for upskilling and assisting them in securing top positions within the company. The Majid Al Futtaim School of Analytics and Technology will offer specialised coding classes and programmes for women outside the company’s ecosystem, as well as internships, career assistance, and mentorship. In addition, the organisation will continue to expand its flexible employment choices and provide freelancing.
