In a key step toward advancing women’s empowerment through skill development, Dalmia Bharat Foundation (DBF), the CSR arm of Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd., has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Red Carpet Learning Institute, a prominent training and skilling partner. The MoU was formalised in Noida, New Delhi, under DBF’s flagship initiative DIKSHa (Dalmia Institute of Knowledge and Skill Harnessing).

This collaboration aims to provide industry-aligned training to 300 women across 10 batches in specialised job roles within the automotive sector—namely, Automotive Showroom Host, Automotive Tele-Caller, and Two-Wheeler Service Assistant. The programme will be launched in Assam, West Bengal, and Jharkhand, targeting women from underserved communities.

The training is scheduled to begin in August 2025 and conclude by the year’s end, supported by counselling services to boost participation. Candidates must be at least 18 years old and have passed Class 10 to be eligible. Upon successful training, participants can expect to secure entry-level roles with a minimum monthly wage of approximately Rs 10,000.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ashok Kumar Gupta, CEO of Dalmia Bharat Foundation, said: “At Dalmia Bharat, we are committed to building a more inclusive and skilled workforce for India. This partnership with Red Carpet Learning Institute reflects that vision—combining practical, industry-relevant training with a shared commitment to empowering women and strengthening communities.”

Bitan Roy, Partner at Red Carpet Learning Institute, commented: “We are proud to collaborate with Dalmia Bharat Foundation on this impactful initiative. At Red Carpet, our focus is on delivering real-world training that leads to tangible employment outcomes, especially for women entering emerging industries like automotive services.”

The training centres will be equipped with classrooms, computer labs, and projectors, adhering to Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC) norms. Evaluations will take place in three stages: an initial online assessment after the first month, a second online evaluation upon 90 per cent course completion by an external agency, and a final physical assessment post-completion.

Placement support is a key feature of the programme, with 90 per cent of participants expected to be placed within 50 days of course completion.

Through DIKSHa, DBF has trained over 23,600 individuals to date, with women comprising more than 50 per cent of participants. The initiative continues to be central to DBF’s mission to foster resilient and self-reliant communities through inclusive growth and skill-based empowerment.