Gender Diversity: Tata Steel Deploys First Batch Of All-Women HEMM Operators

Noamundi (Jharkhand): In its pursuit of gender diversity at the workplace, Tata Steel has deployed the first batch of 22 women HEMM (Heavy Earth Moving Machinery) operators for all shifts at its Noamundi iron mine in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district.

The initiative named ‘Tejaswini 2.0’ was launched in the presence of Atrayee Sarkar, Vice President, Human Resource Management, Tata Steel and DB Sundara Ramam, Vice President, Raw Materials, Tata Steel on Friday.

‘Tejaswini 2.0’ has been designed to provide technical training to unskilled women workers and enable them to work in core jobs at mines.

“The initiative reflects our commitment towards fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion in the organisation. Tata Steel has been a torchbearer in the manufacturing sector by introducing several path-breaking initiatives such as ‘women@mines’ to encourage diversity at workplace,” Sarkar said.

A Tata Steel spokesperson said the Ore Mines & Quarries Division is the first in the company to launch this initiative. It had received over 350 applications out of which 22 candidates were selected after a written test and personal interview.

These candidates will undergo an intensive training to hone their skills as HEMM operators. Then, they will will be deployed as Operations Assistant to operate HEMM, which includes dumper, dozer, shovel, excavator and drill.

“Tata Steel has been taking strides to boost gender diversity and to achieve a target of 20% women employees by 2025,” the spokesperson said.

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