Wins best sustainability report award at 6th CSR Awards 2017
[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t was the turnaround achieved by K-Electric management, which attracted the Shanghai Power Company of China to acquire the management control of K-Electric so far the best brand in power generation and distribution sector. The deal attracted $1.8 billion of Chinese investment and the credit certainly goes to the management to make K-Electric an attract investment for the foreign investors.
Recently, the Professionals Network has conferred the Best Sustainability Report Award to K-Electric during the 6th Corporate Social Responsibility Awards 2017. Zehra Mehdi, Deputy Director ESG & Sustainability received the award on behalf of the organization during a ceremony held at a local hotel here in Karachi.
The award is yet another recognition of KE’s commitment towards embedding sustainable thinking into organizational culture and supporting the community in different areas. The award-winning sustainability report was audited by KPMG and secured a level ‘A+’ rating from the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).
KE spokesperson described the award as a testimony of the utility’s economic, environmental, and social performance and said, “KE’s reputation as a socially responsible power company, well-integrated in the community, has been soundly established and we will continue to build on the foundations of our long-standing commitment to responsible business.”
KE reaches around 3.9 million lives annually through various Social Investment Program (SIP) initiatives such as facilitating education for the underprivileged; providing free electricity to Karachi’s key educational and health institutions; educating thousands of school children through its fire safety and energy conservation programs while engaging youth through cricket and football platforms including KE-Lyari League.
Over the years, KE has received numerous awards from national and regional organizations endorsing its CSR and environmental excellence initiatives.
STRENGTHENING OF POWER SUPPLY
K-Electric, under its Social Investment Program (SIP), has partnered with Husaini Hematology and Oncology Trust to further enhance reliability of power supply of the Trust’s emergency center. The utility upgraded respective power infrastructure, which will ensure smooth operations at the emergency center as well as uninterrupted power supply for its blood preservation unit.
KE spokesperson added, “This is yet another testament of KE’s commitment to support healthcare organizations — empowering them to continue their efforts to serve the community. K-Electric has always been at the forefront for providing generous and valuable support to different organizations working for social welfare.”
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Husaini Hematology and Oncology Trust’s spokesperson said, “Throughout the up-gradation process, K-Electric team remained quite cooperative and demonstrated high level of professionalism to ensure uninterrupted power supply to our emergency center, which serves over 10,000 patients monthly. The support from K-Electric will enable Husaini to expand its services to patients while reducing the cost of providing medical care in the long run.”
ON JOB TRAINING
Aimed at enhancing employability of management and non-management workforce through skill development, mentoring and on-job training, K-Electric has initiated Apprenticeship Program 2017-18 during an interactive ceremony held recently at KE Azm Learning Institute. The ceremony was attended by Makhdoom Taufeeq, Joint Director, Ministry of Labor and Human Resource, Abdul Sattar Junejo, Deputy Director, Sindh Technical Education & Vocational Training Authority (STEVTA) and KE representatives.
The first batch comprises 32 apprentices whereas the power utility aims to train over 550 apprentices in its core business areas of generation, distribution and transmission during this two-year program. After qualifying the apprentices program go successfully, the graduates will also be considered for full time employment in respective areas of the organization.
Sattar Junejo, Deputy Director, STEVTA appreciated KE’s initiative of launching the program and highlighted its significance in the professional life of apprentices in terms of providing them with required skill set and build self-confidence. He also assured all possible support from the government for successful execution of the program.
While congratulating apprentices, KE spokesperson said, “KE’s training program comes at a crucial time when Pakistan’s electric power sector is passing through a transformational phase and there is a lot of investment coming in, which speaks volume about the bright prospect of these apprentices. KE’s innovative and research-driven approach coupled with deployment of latest technology in various facets of its business makes it a world-class power utility and thus an ideal platform of learning and exposure for trainees.”
Over the years, KE has created various powerful platforms to engage the youth in healthy activities be it providing professional exposure, sporting events and encouraging student initiatives. Earlier this year, KE partnered with NED University to establish its electrical engineering lab along with the provision of integrated equipment.
Last year, KE provided Power System Simulator for Engineering (PSSE) software to NEDUET (NED University of Engineering and Technology) helping students to better understand transmission planning and undertake simulation exercises. Moreover, KE has also emerged as one of the most preferred employers and offers robust careers in different disciplines for management and engineering professionals.