In the world of building materials, Nuvoco, part of the Nirma Group, has become a company that’s redefining employee experience—not with grand gestures but through thoughtful, genuine initiatives that prioritise development, wellness, and purpose. Recognising the changing expectations of a modern workforce, Nuvoco crafted a holistic Employee Value Proposition (EVP) aimed at transforming careers, fostering wellness, and offering employees something truly meaningful.
The essence of Nuvoco’s EVP rests on four key pillars: leadership, learning, career development, and care. This strategy serves as a roadmap for engaging employees at every level, fostering a culture where employees feel empowered and supported. “Our core philosophy is to give employees both freedom and support to advance their skills,” explains Manisha Kelkar, CHRO at Nuvoco Vistas. “We emphasise leadership development at all career stages, encouraging employees to take ownership while embedding care into our culture and policies.”
To accommodate its diverse workforce, Nuvoco’s EVP provides flexible, tailored development paths. Employees, whether new hires or seasoned leaders, can choose training aligned with their career ambitions, ensuring relevance across all stages of professional growth.
“Our core philosophy is to give employees both freedom and support to advance their skills. We emphasise leadership development at all career stages, encouraging employees to take ownership while embedding care into our culture and policies.”
Manisha Kelkar, CHRO at Nuvoco Vistas
Nuvoco University: A Hub for Lifelong Learning
Central to Nuvoco’s learning strategy is Nuvoco University, a dynamic platform that offers a wide range of programmes tailored to specific roles and functions. Based on the ‘I-learn-and-lead’ philosophy, the university gives employees access to LinkedIn Learning as well as specialised academies like the Sales and Manufacturing Academies. The Sales Academy, for instance, combines digital learning with practical, on-the-ground application, tracking employee progress through digital tools. “Our Sales Excellence Programme integrates structured selling techniques, with tracking to ensure skills are actively applied in real scenarios,” explains Kelkar.
Meanwhile, the Manufacturing Academy focuses on building operational expertise, enabling employees to keep pace with the latest industry developments. In collaboration with top institutions, including IIT Madras, MIT, ISB, Harvard, and UpGrad, Nuvoco provides a curriculum that equips employees with cutting-edge knowledge for a future-ready workforce.
Engagement through Gamification and Digital Tools
Flexibility is key in Nuvoco’s learning platform, where gamification enhances both engagement and retention. Employees can explore tailored course recommendations, receive progress reminders, and engage in interactive quizzes. Many courses include simulations that allow employees to practice real-world scenarios, such as stepping into the role of a CFO, offering hands-on experience with complex decision-making and strategic thinking.
Balancing Technology with a Human-Centred Approach
While embracing AI and digital tools, Nuvoco remains committed to the human element of learning. Managers and mentors play an essential role in guiding employees through learning modules and modelling the company’s philosophy. An integral resource in this is the Manager’s Playbook, a toolkit that equips managers with practical strategies to support their teams, covering areas like motivation, feedback, goal-setting, and handling complex situations. Designed to be accessible, managers can quickly access the playbook via QR code on Nuvoco University, making it a readily available guide for supporting employee growth. Engagement surveys ensure the playbook’s relevance by tracking its impact on employee satisfaction and gathering feedback for continuous improvement.
Wellness beyond the Workplace
Aligned with its commitment to care, Nuvoco offers extensive wellness programmes that address physical, mental, and spiritual health. These include annual health check-ups, confidential mental health support, and spiritual wellness resources. Comprehensive family insurance, with flexible coverage options, highlights Nuvoco’s commitment to supporting employee well-being. Health and safety are embedded in the company’s culture, guided by a “zero-harm” philosophy that prioritises a safe working environment across all operations.
In an effort to nurture future leaders, Nuvoco recently launched a nine-month Harvard leadership development programme for high-potential middle-management employees. This blended programme combines digital and classroom learning with mentoring, helping participants build essential skills like strategic thinking, business acumen, and leadership effectiveness. “The first cohort of 50 employees is already making remarkable progress,” Kelkar notes, expressing pride in their growth.
Comprehensive Development for Future Success
Through its well-rounded EVP, Nuvoco is setting a new benchmark for the modern workplace—one where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to contribute meaningfully. By making strategic investments in wellness, career development, and leadership, Nuvoco is building a culture where individuals thrive and, in turn, propel the organisation forward. This approach offers a powerful model of how a company, by truly listening to and caring for its people, can foster success at both personal and organisational levels.
In an era where employee expectations are higher than ever, Nuvoco’s commitment to a meaningful, development-focused EVP illustrates how businesses can attract and retain talent by going beyond the standard and embracing a people-first ethos.
