Mumbai, July 14, 2022 – ACC Ltd., one of India’s most innovative and sustainable cement manufacturers, has consistently contributed to society and local communities through various initiatives and outreach programmes. One such initiative is DISHA, which focuses on eliminating unemployment among people in host communities by offering training in fields such as automotive technician, electrician, life skills, sewing machine operator, and picker & packer roles.
The Development Initiative on Skills for Holistic Advancement (DISHA) aims to make individuals employable by providing essential training and education across different skills and industries. In eight tribal villages surrounding ACC’s manufacturing plant at Chaibasa in Jharkhand, the initiative is helping develop rural communities by addressing youth unemployment, particularly among school dropouts.
DISHA recently completed a round of skill development training and successfully placed candidates at leading organizations such as Mother & Sons Sumi, Grofers, Big Basket, Welspun, and Shahi Exports in Bengaluru. To date, more than 200 candidates have benefited from the DISHA project.
To ensure effective problem-solving, DISHA uses participatory rural appraisal studies to assess community needs, followed by household-level data collection to facilitate micro-planning. The program also includes counseling services, soft skills development, and digital literacy training. Local Panchayat members, as key stakeholders, are actively engaged throughout the process.
ACC’s outreach efforts also include initiatives focused on digital and financial literacy, soft skills, personality development, and overall personal growth for underprivileged populations.
Continuing its journey in Chaibasa, ACC recently inaugurated a new batch of training programs. The ceremony was graced by Mr. Ananya Mittal (IAS), District Collector of West Singhbhum, and Mr. Raj Gurung, Plant Director of Chaibasa Cement Works. Training will be provided to 70 candidates in this batch. The District Commissioner praised the district’s rapid progress under the "Transformation of Aspirational Districts" program launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, which aims to uplift some of the most underdeveloped districts in India. He also commended ACC Limited for its impactful contribution, noting that youth participation will inspire others in tribal areas to come forward.
Mr. Sridhar Balakrishnan, MD & CEO of ACC Limited, said:
“At ACC, our goal has always been clear: to transform lives and create a better world. We strive to achieve this by enabling marginalized households to access gainful self-employment, creating opportunities for youth development, and promoting equality through participation and inclusion of all individuals, groups, and communities.”
The outreach programme also facilitates access to employment-related government and social security schemes such as the Shram Card and zero-balance Jan Dhan bank accounts.