OGDC welcomes second batch of female management trainee officers

ISLAMABAD, Sep 28 (APP): Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDC) has welcomed the second batch of its all-female Management Trainee Officers (MTOs) Programme 2026-27, comprising 52 female graduates from diverse academic backgrounds and institutions across Pakistan.

The programme reflects OGDC’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and its efforts to increase women’s participation in the energy sector.

A ceremony was held at the OGDC Training (Oil & Gas Training Institute – OGTI) to formally welcome the management trainees.

Addressing the ceremony, MD/CEO OGDC Ahmed Hayat Lak welcomed the new MTOs and said the initiative was aimed at making greater female representation a sustainable part of the organisation. “We want more women in our company to make our work environment more diverse and inclusive,” he said.

MD/CEO Lak said the trainees would contribute to OGDC’s growth journey while developing the skills required to support Pakistan’s energy security. “We have a target to double our production in the next three years,” he said, adding that OGDC would continue to optimise production from its mature assets and contribute to import substitution.

The 52-week programme combines classroom learning, on-the-job training, field visits, departmental placements and mentorship. It is designed to provide trainees with a broad understanding of OGDC’s operations, the oil and gas value chain and the opportunities and challenges facing the sector.

Executive Director (HR) OGDC Shahzad Safdar said the second programme had been designed after learning from the experience of the first batch. “This is a different and more comprehensive training programme. We wanted to develop a programme that would fully prepare MTOs for their professional careers,” he said.

Safdar said OGDC had taken a deliberate approach to increasing female representation in the company. “We chose to move beyond our comfort zone and establish a dedicated all-female management training programme,” he said.

The first-ever all-female batch of 36 MTOs was inducted by OGDC in July 2025. Members of the first batch also shared their experiences at the ceremony and appreciated the company for providing opportunities to gain practical insights into the oil and gas industry.

The second batch will undergo structured technical and professional development throughout the year, supported by its technical and soft-skills teams. The programme aims to equip young women with the knowledge, skills and professional exposure required to build careers in Pakistan’s energy sector.

OGDC is committed to equal opportunities, inclusive growth and developing a diverse workforce capable of contributing to the company’s long-term growth and Pakistan’s energy security.