• UAE-based engineering consultancy marks International Women’s Day by highlighting the importance of women to the industry
• Leading survey outlines opportunities available in thriving UAE construction sector

DUBAI, MARCH 8, 2017:  DC PRO Engineering has marked the occasion of International Women’s Day by encouraging more women to take the lead in the region’s construction and engineering sector, insisting the booming industry needs them.

According to recent findings of the Pinsent Masons’ GCC Construction Survey, overall sentiment in the region’s construction sector has improved by approximately 7 per cent. The findings show that the UAE is still the GCC’s leading market and expected to record growth in 2018, with 38 per cent of respondents forecasting new opportunities this year, compared with 35 per cent in 2016.

And with Expo 2020, Dubai just over two years away, the sector is set to continuing growing, opening new opportunities for both graduates and experienced industry professionals. However, while the UAE is leading the way with female empowerment, there remains a shortage of women in the engineering and construction sector.

Karen Saliba, Mechanical Engineer at DC PRO and Chair of the Young Engineers in ASHRAE (YEA) Committee for the ASHRAE Falcon Chapter in UAE, says women should take advantage of the opportunities available to play a crucial role in helping to build and engineer the future.

“The industry is evolving and there are numerous opportunities available for women to get ahead and have a significant positive impact on the future of engineering and construction. The more women we have across the full spectrum of the industry will only benefit and encourage more women to pursue a career in construction and engineering,” said Saliba.  “With ASHRAE establishing a training centre in Dubai in 2017, the first ASHRAE training centre outside of Society Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, we see the UAE as a hub for Engineers to excel.

“The UAE Government is making great strides in female empowerment across industry and society and we see women having a supremely bright future in shaping the construction industry, in line with the country’s goals.

“At DC PRO we strive to encourage more women into the profession. Currently 20 per cent of our operations team is female, and that will continue to grow.”

The latest BNC UAE Construction Analysis report, published in November 2017, highlights the opportunities available in the industry, with findings show the value of active construction projects in the UAE stands at USD818.2 billion (AED3 trillion). This accounts for 33 per cent of total value and 52 per cent of all construction activity in the GCC region. All active construction projects in the GCC region amount to a staggering USD2.43 trillion (AED8.91 trillion).