Under its programme called women@mines, Tata Steel has added 16 women as Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM) operators in all shifts, at its West Bokaro Division. This is a step taken by Tata in a bid to contribute towards its diversity and inclusion agenda.
Women@mines programme aims at providing upskilling opportunities to women in the coal and mine industry and provide them jobs as well. The West Bokaro site is the first division to initiate this programme, following which it received around 446 applications. Only 16 candidates, who possessed the minimum qualification of matriculation, were selected after an interview and written test.
These women candidates will go through intensive training under the programme to hone their skills and before being deployed as operations assistants to operate HEMM at Quarry SE, which includes dumper, dozer, shovel, excavator and drill.
“Tata Steel has always provided career opportunities to the talented youth from the community, and Women@Mines at West Bokaro is yet another milestone in this journey. Focused on industry-wide efforts to foster a diverse and inclusive culture, Tata Steel is making sure it provides a safe and an enabling environment to its workforce. We take great pride in welcoming onboard the new women recruit at our West Bokaro site and wish them an empowering career ahead,” shares Atrayee Sarkar, VP-HR, Tata Steel.
Tata Steel is known for offering career opportunities to deserving young talent, and Women@Mines is just another measure towards furthering this cause. The programme, it is hoped, will result in a diverse and inclusive culture. Tata Steel is already taking all necessary steps to ensure safety at the workplace.
Sushmita Mandal, a HEMM operator also shared her experience by saying, “From learning to drive bi-cycle, bike, & car, to gearing up to drive HEMM, I have come up a long way. Nothing is impossible if you are up for the challenge. I am happy that I will now share my workspace with my father and other male colleagues. This opportunity will not only weave a better future for all the aspiring girls in the region but will also inspire local housewives.”
The Company hopes that its workforce will comprise 25 per cent women by 2025 and the Women@mines programme will act as a catalyst in this endeavour. In its annual report of 2018-19, Tata Steel had revealed its aim to achieve 25 per cent women representation in its workforce by 2025.
