There has been a significant increase in the demand for female trainees in the manufacturing sector. Factories are now embracing gender equality in recruitment processes, underscoring the industry's commitment to promoting inclusivity. According to staffing company TeamLease, the demand for hiring young women as trainees after passing 10th/12th class has increased five-fold in the last eight to 10 months, reflecting the changing dynamics of India's workforce.
The expansion of the automotive, electric vehicle (EV), electronics, and phone manufacturing industries was a major factor in the rise in demand for female trainees. In the manufacturing sector, women from rural and semi-urban areas make up about 70% of the apprentices. This suggests a significant chance to empower women in these fields via programmes for skill development and vocational training.
“This surge is expected to significantly increase the representation of female apprentices, reaching 40 per cent by the end of the year,” said Sumit Kumar, chief strategy officer, of TeamLease Degree Apprenticeships.