Dhiraagu has marked the completion of its Dhiraagu Apprenticeship Programme 2025, extending a run that now spans 16 consecutive years and reinforcing the company’s long-term role in workforce development in the Maldives.
At a graduation ceremony held recently, 15 apprentices were awarded certificates after completing the programme. The event also formally welcomed the 17th intake of apprentices, with 25 participants enrolling in the 2026 cohort. The ceremony was attended by representatives from educational institutions, members of Dhiraagu’s board, and senior management.
The apprenticeship programme, first launched in 2009, is positioned as Dhiraagu’s flagship corporate social responsibility initiative and was the first corporate apprenticeship scheme introduced in the Maldives. Since its inception, a total of 312 young people have enrolled in the programme, which focuses on building employability through structured training, exposure to core business functions, and workplace-based learning.
Participants undergo a combination of technical training, soft skills development, and hands-on experience across Dhiraagu’s operations, including opportunities to work in Malé and at regional operations centres around the country. The programme is designed to provide practical experience alongside professional discipline, offering a pathway into long-term employment.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development, Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed, described the programme as setting a strong standard for vocational training over the past 17 years. He also acknowledged Dhiraagu’s continued efforts to develop skills among Maldivian youth and contribute to the national labour market.
Dhiraagu’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Ismail Rasheed, congratulated the 2025 graduates and welcomed the new intake. He said the programme aims to equip young people with professional experience, technical skills, and a foundation in work ethic, encouraging participants to apply what they have learned as they progress in their careers.
Through the apprenticeship programme, Dhiraagu continues to link private sector involvement with skills development, at a time when employability and workforce readiness remain key policy concerns.
