Vedanta Sesa Goa-Value Added Business (VAB), continues to drive meaningful change by promoting education and empowering women both in the workplace and society.
Recognizing the need to support women to pursue skilling in technical fields, VAB has provided scholarships to 11 girls to pursue ITI courses in Diesel Mechanic, Electrical, Instrument Mechanic, and Machinist at Sesa Technical School (STS). The initiative is part of Vedanta Sesa Goa’s Project ‘Vriddhi’ and is aligned with the aims of the recently launched #IronLadiesIndia’25 campaign, which aims to enable women such that they are able to maximise their potential & contribute to the fullest to the goals of a ‘Viksit Bharat’. This is the third iteration of the #IronLadiesIndia campaign.
The scholarships have been instituted in 2023 and women trainees identified for the scholarship are being provided regular mentoring and guidance so that thy can fully benefit from the course curriculum. As part of their orientation process, they also interacted with Mr. Saptesh Sardesai, CEO, VAB, and Ms Leena Verenkar, Head CSR, Sesa Goa and were provided valuable insights which will help the trainees be better prepared and industry-ready. The trainees also interacted with several other Vedanta executives and benefited from a free-flowing exchange of ideas.
Speaking on the occasion, Saptesh Sardesai, CEO- VAB said “At VAB, we believe that education and skill development are key drivers of empowerment, especially for young women aspiring to build careers in technical fields. Through our scholarship programs, we are creating opportunities for these talented individuals to break barriers and thrive in industries traditionally dominated by men. It is inspiring to see their determination, and we remain committed to fostering an inclusive and skilled workforce for the future.”
Many of these young women are the first in their families to receive formal technical education, making their achievements a testament to resilience and progress. They expressed gratitude for the initiative, which is not just supporting their academic journey but also empowering them with the skills and confidence to build independent, successful careers in industries.The STS reconfigured its curriculum to include courses for women in 2023 and the first batch of women trainees passed out in 2024, with a 100% pass result.
Ms. Afsana Patvi, Scholarship awardee for pursing Machinist course said “It was a wonderful experience to sit and have an interaction with the senior management where great insightful discussions took place. It is very inspiring to see the journey they have covered, and we are motivated enough to aim for the best ahead. I sincerely thank Vedanta for supporting us in making a strong career for ourselves that will make us empowered and independent women.”
Sesa Technical School (STS), a flagship project of Sesa Goa, has been a cornerstone of skill development, equipping students with industry-relevant expertise for over Three decades. With a legacy of educating 2000+ students,and a 100% placement record, the STS continues to break barriers and inspire more women to pursue careers in mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation trades.
By equipping them with industry-relevant skills, Vedanta Sesa Goa impactfully pursuing its objectives related to fostering equal opportunities & capacity building & helping confront long-standing stereotypes. This initiative ensures that it will effectively bridge the gap between opportunity & aspirations.
