By equipping women with emerging skills, ASDC aims to contribute to their financial independence and societal standing

India’s rising Electric Vehicle (EV) sector is a beacon for narrowing the gender divide in the skilled workforce by encouraging more women participants. Realising this shift, ASDC has been implementing proactive strategies to foster female involvement. Our initiatives seek to create an inclusive ecosystem that empowers women with relevant EV skills, turning them into valuable assets rather than sidelined spectators. Added emphasis has been placed on rural regions where patriarchal bonds often limit potential and growth of many talented individuals who can thrive with timely guidance and opportunities.

The aim is to democratise EV skill acquisition and make it accessible for all genders. Hence, ASDC has curated training programmes that teach necessary techniques while overcoming traditional gender roles. We encourage female trainees to venture into this dynamic domain which was thought of as largely male-dominant until now.

ASDC’s drive to create an equal-opportunity space in the EV sector focuses on nurturing, mentoring and guiding women trainees towards a more sustainable future. We look forward to seeing these skilled women professionals redefine workforce dynamics in the burgeoning EV industry. Our plan aligns with the national objective of gender equality at workplaces.

By equipping women with these emerging skills, we contribute to their financial independence and societal standing. We believe this will not only bridge the existing gender gap but bring forth a wave of transformation across India’s EV landscape.

Fig 1: The factory floor of electronics manufacturing firm Kinetic Communications in Pune, India, April 20, 2022. Thomson Reuters Foundation/Roli Srivastava

How Is ASDC Empowering Women In The EV Industry

ASDC envisions a progressive future where women, empowered with the knowledge of EV technology, revolutionises the industry. The path is challenging but initial strides have already seen promising talent emerge. ASDC’s commitment to fostering this talent pool illustrates their faith in every woman’s potential. Manifesting this vision, they focus on nurturing these talented women and honing their skills to match industry standards.

Understanding the power of lifting others as they rise, their programmes are designed to be comprehensive guides for their journey ahead. As part of an ever-evolving industry, they are optimistic about the changes their efforts will bring about.

ASDC has been instrumental in spearheading various projects aimed at enhancing gender inclusivity and economic empowerment within the EV industry. Notable among these is the GIZ Project, which focuses on replicating industry-based green skills training for EV service technicians. This initiative has successfully trained 100 candidates, with a commendable 20% female participation rate, emphasising ASDC’s commitment to fostering a diverse workforce.

Fig 2: Workers assemble electric scooters at the Ather Energy factory in Hosur, India, April 20, 2022. Thomson Reuters Foundation/Vivek Muthuramalingam

Through projects like Project Shakti under the SANKALP scheme of BSDM, ASDC collaborates with organisations like the Bihar Skill Development Mission and Patna Municipal Corporation to empower women through E-Kart driving training, thereby creating opportunities for economic independence and community development. Additionally, ASDC’s involvement in RTI-funded projects further underscores its dedication to addressing societal challenges such as unemployment and gender stereotypes by providing comprehensive training in EV technologies and promoting entrepreneurship among both men and women.

Also, ASDC, through its Project Sakhi, is empowering 250 women in the Delhi NCR region with essential skill development. This initiative is strategically designed to foster employment opportunities within the electric mobility sector. By equipping these women with specialised training, ASDC aims to not only bridge the gender gap in this burgeoning industry but also catalyse economic growth by tapping into the potential of a diverse workforce. Through Project Sakhi, ASDC is not just imparting skills; it’s opening doors to a brighter future, where women play a significant role in shaping the landscape of electric mobility in the region.

Through these efforts, ASDC envisions a future where every effort to bridge the gender gap results in skilled, competent women professionals burgeoning in the EV sector. We continue to nurture this vision with persistent dedication and optimistic determination.

Meenu Sarawgi is the EVP & Chief – Strategy & Operations, ASDC

About the Author

Meenu Sarawgi

Clean Mobility Shift
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