EPCL & Engro Foundation partnered with Descon Technical Institute to launch Umeed e Nouh, the first batch of women forklift operators in Pakistan. This is a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at empowering and equipping women with the knowledge and expertise for challenging technical roles.

The 7-week training program focused on training women to operate forklifts at manufacturing and supply chain sites. After a thorough selection process, 21 out of 172 candidates were selected.

Resources like a weekly stipend for financial support, lunch during training sessions, and safe commutes to and from the site were provided. Also, a third-party certification was awarded, from a testing facility called Inspectest, which verified their operational skills and certified their training as sufficient for operational roles. Engro along with other manufacturing facilities, will now look for opportunities to get these women employed in technical roles.