Tech firm Continental India has launched 'The STEP Ahead', an initiative to boost women workforce participation in manufacturing, in association with Centrum Foundation through various skill development programs
As part of this CSR initiative, the firm will provide transformative steps to accelerate growth for women in science, technology, engineering, and production. A company statement said that the first year of the program will focus on three target groups – high school girls, ITI students, and unemployed women from underprivileged sections of society.
The initiative’s phase-1 will be rolled-out in Bengaluru and Gurugram, after which the program will be extended to other industry hubs in a phased manner.
Manufacturing has been historically stereotyped as unsuitable for women, and over the years has witnessed an under-representation of women in this field. Factors such as lack of awareness and limited access to skill development program, among others, have been responsible for these misconceptions and underrepresentation, said the company.
Continental India’s program aims to nurture and inspire girls and women to better understand this industry, have access to resources and learning, and to consider manufacturing as a career option.
The company will create awareness campaigns, curriculum development, certification, leadership development programmes, plant tours, among others to facilitate skill development. It also aims to create a two-way link between the industries/establishments and colleges, to utilise the trained students for internships and placements.
Prashanth Doreswamy, Head of Continental India, and Managing Director Continental Automotive India, said, “Manufacturing continues to be a high-growth sector in India, and we need to build the right resource pool to match such an ambitious intent.” He said the women for manufacturing programme is Continental's commitment to prepare and mobilise untapped women talent, towards achieving a more gender-balanced manufacturing society.”
“At Continental, we are persistently working to ensure gender parity at the workplace, especially in areas underrepresented by women talent. Focused measures and topics including learning initiatives, sensitising programmes, mentoring, leadership development programmes, and equal pay are in place for women across different levels,” said Rainer Hetzer, Head of human relations autonomous mobility and safety, and HR sponsor for Continental India.
Now is the time to apply the same goal for the larger society. Through the women for manufacturing programme, the company aims to create a sustainable ecosystem of skilled women force, creating more opportunities within the industry, he further added.
