2nd September 2023 UKG, a prominent provider of HR and workforce solutions, has unveiled its impactful initiative, The Udaan Centre, in collaboration with Lok Bharti, a renowned vocational institution in India. This initiative is aimed at empowering women in Noida, India, by offering them a sewing machine operator training course. The course, leading to certification by the National Skill Development Corporation, equips these women for a lifelong career in India’s textile industry.
Operating six days a week with two shifts per day, The Udaan Centre caters to 50 students in each batch, providing education and skills training entirely funded by UKG. The women are instructed by qualified teachers in advanced cloth-making skills, highly sought after by export firms, ensuring their integration into the country’s workforce. Despite its soft launch during the COVID-19 pandemic, the project recently celebrated the graduation of its inaugural batch of 50 students.
The initiative’s overarching goal is to transform the lives of over 200 women annually, enabling them to attain skills for sustainable employment, bolstering self-reliance and confidence. In alignment with UKG’s commitment to people, The Udaan Centre is a testament to the company’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) program, dedicated to fostering positive impacts with measurable progress.
Claire Lock, VP of Talent Business Partners, International Markets at UKG, highlighted the power of purpose and community upliftment. Nitin Wadhwa, HR Director, India at UKG, emphasized the collaborative effort involving employees, the government, and local communities, all contributing to empowering women for self-reliance.
This initiative isn’t isolated; UKG India has launched other projects to further their ESG initiatives. “Getting Girls to Code” imparts vocational training in web design and digital marketing to young women, while “The UKG ANK Learning Centre” partners with a nonprofit to provide education to underprivileged children.
Heather Geronemus, Senior Director of Social Impact at UKG, highlighted the importance of these initiatives in fostering potential among underrepresented groups. The company’s values of unity, kindness, and growth are embodied in events like the “Month of Giving,” where UKG employees volunteer in multiple CSR programs benefiting the community.
Nitin Seth, CEO at Lok Bharti, stressed the significance of empowering women for economic progress and innovation. The initiative not only equips these women with skills but also instills economic independence and empowerment.
In a nutshell, UKG’s Udaan Centre is a transformative initiative empowering Noida’s women with skills and purpose. By imparting valuable skills and fostering a sense of self-reliance, UKG is making a tangible impact in the lives of these women and the community at large.