Hyundai’s Drive4Progress Initiative facilitates employment of 250 women drivers

Hyundai, In a strategic partnership and MoU between Navjyoti NGO and BluSmart, has facilitated the employment of 250 women drivers in the Delhi NCR region

In a strategic partnership and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Navjyoti NGO and BluSmart, the initiative has facilitated the employment of 250 women drivers in the Delhi NCR region.

The Vision of Drive4Progress

Underlining Hyundai’s global brand vision of ‘Progress for Humanity,’ HMIF’s collaboration with Navjyoti NGO and BluSmart is a testament to its commitment to women’s empowerment and skill development.

‘Drive4Progress’ is a driver skill development initiative, not only providing professional training but also opening doors to employment opportunities for the youth.

Program Components

The program’s comprehensive curriculum includes theory and soft skills training, practical driving lessons, license processing, and direct pathways to employment.

One distinctive aspect of ‘Drive4Progress’ is its unwavering commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that 30% of the beneficiaries are women.

The Collaborative MoU

The Memorandum of Understanding was exchanged between Mr. Anirudh Arun, Co-Founder & CEO of BluSmart Fleet, and Mr. Gurusharan Khurana, President of ‘Navjyoti Transforming Lives & Careers Society’ NGO.

The ceremony witnessed the presence of Mr. Puneet Anand, AVP & Vertical Head, Corporate Affairs, Hyundai Motor India, and Mr. Soon Sang Hong, Domain Advisor, Corporate Affairs, Hyundai Motor India.

Corporate and NGO Perspectives

Mr. Puneet Anand expressed the significance of this collaboration, emphasizing Hyundai’s determination for women’s empowerment.

He highlighted the alignment with the government’s vision to address the growing demand for skilled workforce in India. Mr. Anirudh Arun, BluSmart’s CEO, underscored the company’s commitment to gender inclusivity in the transportation sector, showcasing consistent efforts to onboard women driver partners.

The NGO’s Impactful Role

Mr. Gurusharan Khurana, President of ‘Navjyoti Transforming Lives & Careers Society,’ conveyed excitement about the collaboration.

He spoke of leveraging expertise in creating robust training modules, aiming to create a more inclusive and equitable transportation ecosystem.

The program aligns with Navjyoti’s mission to empower women with skills and opportunities for success as professional drivers.

Drive4Progress

This initiative is part of HMIF’s broader social program, ‘Drive4Progress,’ launched in October 2023. The ambitious project aims to cover over 1,500 youth, including a minimum of 30% women, from Haryana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and West Bengal over the next 3 years.

HMIF, in collaboration with Navjyoti NGO, strives to create a talent pool of trained drivers from Below Poverty Line (BPL) communities, equipping them with skills for employment in the transportation sector.

Certification and Opportunities

HMIF and Navjyoti will support participants in obtaining a permanent driving license. Graduating students will receive certification from the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) after successful completion of training and assessments.

The initiative focuses on facilitating wage employment for a minimum of 70% of the beneficiaries and providing self-employment opportunities for the remainder.

Drive4Progress in Action

Under the MoU, HMIF’s ‘Drive4Progress’ initiative will provide training to women interested in professional driving careers through Navjyoti.

The 45-day training program covers essential skills such as safe driving practices, soft skills, customer service, vehicle maintenance, and road safety in regional languages.

Upon completion, 250 skilled women drivers will be eligible for employment opportunities within BluSmart’s dynamic workforce.