Bridgestone India, as part of an upskilling initiative in manufacturing, has inducted 93 women apprentices in the company’s manufacturing operations at Pune. These apprentices are being trained to carry out duties on the shop floor, such as operating machines and in the Quality Assurance department. Inducted as per the Government of India’s National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme, these women work across shifts.

In an endeavor to provide a conducive work environment for these 93 women apprentices, Bridgestone India has organised and implemented the services of a full-time female doctor, deployment of female security guards and the provision of crèche facilities. Those working late shifts are also provided separate transport facility.

“A trained women workforce can be a major contributor to India becoming a global manufacturing hub. Bridgestone is committed to gender equality and is also a signatory to Women’s Empowerment Principles developed in 2010, by UN Women and UN Global Compact. Our initiative of onboarding ninety-three women apprentices in our manufacturing operations is a recognition of the role that women can play in India’s industrial economy” said Apurv Choubey, Chief Human Resources Officer, Bridgestone India.

The company currently has 517 apprentices under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme working at the two plants in Pune and Indore. This is the first time that Bridgestone India has inducted women apprentices in such large numbers.