Dalmia Bharat Foundation And Akzo Nobel Initiate “Vocational Training In Wall Painting For Sustainable Livelihood”

* Enabling women to break stereotypes of male dominated profession 

Dalmia Bharat Foundation (DBF), corporate social responsibility arm of Dalmia Bharat Ltd. (DBL),a leading cement company in partnership with AkzoNobel India Ltd, a leading paints and coatings manufacturing companyhasinitiated vocational skill trainingin decorative wall paints for rural communitiesin Belgaum, Karnataka. This initiative was undertaken to provide an opportunity for employment in the construction industry and a means for sustainable livelihood. The programme which is open to all witnessedparticipation by many rural women who are keen to choose this as a professional career.Conventionally, painting jobs in construction sector is a male dominated area. As part of their recent initiative, Dalmia Bharat is focusing on upscaling and empowering women as‘homemakers’ in the construction industrythrough jobs like decorative painting.Till date,over 25 women and 130 menhave been trained and placed under contractual jobs. As per the renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between DBF and Akzo Nobel India Ltd, 150 more beneficiaries will be enrolled as part of the programme by end of FY 23-24.  

Dalmia Bharat Foundation conducts awareness campaigns in neighbouringunderprivileged communities of Belgaumand particularlyencourages womento sign up for the programme. Theparticpants are then trained by experts from AkzoNobel in professional wall painting where they undergo a comprehensive learningcourse. The training imparts skills on indoor painting and interior designing.The trainees are awarded a certificate qualifying them as professional painters post successful completion of the program.DBF further supports them through placement in contractual jobs with various collaborators in the industry. 

Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Ashok K. Gupta, CEO, Dalmia Bharat Foundation shared,“ At Dalmia Bharat we are encouraging women to join the construction industry which remains an uncommon choice for women professionally.Traditionally wall painting is known to be a man’s trade, but women are equally capable of performing this job. There were initial challenges in perception where families believed it to be unsuitable for women and considered it as a low-level skill. But, we saw this as a potential opportunity to empower underprivileged womenand help them become financially independent.We are delighted to witness the successof our pragramme. We hope it will inspire more women in the community to participatein the future. We are grateful to AkzoNobel for their support to carry out the trainings successfully.” 

Dalmia Bharat Foundation has been persistently working towards  the socio economic upliftment of the rural communities nearby its plant in Karnataka. The foundation has been conducting various programmes focusing on skill development,training on modern agricultural practices for farmers, health camps and other developmental programs in the region.