We want to bring more women into the workforce: Daikin India Chairman Jawa

DJIME is a not-for-profit educational institution created by Daikin Air-conditioning India Pvt Ltd (DAIPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan's Daikin Industries Limited (DIL), to provide skill development and certification opportunities to students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and make them employable in the industry. The organisation aims to upskill 6,000 youth over the next five years, with at least 20 per cent coming from Tier 3 and Tier 4 towns and placing at least 70 per cent of them in various HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air-conditioning) jobs. Speaking to Bizz Buzz exclusively, Kanwal Jeet Jawa, Chairman-cum-Mananging Director, Daikin Air-conditioning India Pvt Ltd and Member of the Board (non-resident) and Regional General Manager, Air Conditioning Business, India and East Africa, Daikin Industries Ltd, Japan, spells out his plans to bring in more female into the institute’s fold and foster inclusiveness

Tell us about the origin of DJIME, I mean, how did it come into being?

A Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) was signed on November 11, 2016, between Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and India's Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) for the Manufacturing Skill Transfer Promotion Programme (MSTPP) aimed at benefiting Indian youth. The MOC outlined the establishment of METI-certified institutes under the Japan-India Institute of Manufacturing (JIM) project, with four Japanese companies - Daikin, Suzuki, Toyota, and Yamaha - being the first members. In line with this initiative, Daikin set up its own JIM called the Daikin Japanese Institute of Manufacturing Excellence (DJIME) and admitted its first batch of 30 female students from polytechnic colleges across India on August 19, 2017.

What is the vision behind DJIME?

The vision of DJIME is to help individuals become employable workers and create avenues for them to earn a living by focusing on skilling, reskilling, and upskilling. DJIME has a four-fold vision, aiming to serve society, the country, the industry, and the company. DJIME is committed to empowering students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and helping them build rewarding careers of their choice. By providing opportunities for youth to upskill, DJIME aims to contribute to the development of the country and society by creating a skilled workforce that meets the demand of the growing HVAC industry and fills the gap between market demand and supply.

What are the goals for DJIME for the next five years, and what strategies are being used to reach those goals?

DJIME aims to establish itself as a premier training hub for Japanese and Indian companies in the region, providing skilling opportunities for employees and facilitating exchange of best practices. We also, aim to train 6000 youth in the next five years with maximum representation from Tier 3 and 4 cities and place them in the industry.

The strategies adopted are as follows:

Industry Partnerships: Forge strategic partnerships with leading Japanese and Indian companies operating in the region. Collaborate with them to design and deliver specialized training programs tailored to their needs, providing skilling opportunities for their employees. This helps establish DJIME as a preferred training provider for these companies.

Networking and Events: Organized networking events, seminars, workshops, and conferences that bring together Japanese and Indian companies, employees, and industry experts. These events provide opportunities for knowledge sharing, networking, and building business relationships, positioning DJIME as a hub for exchange of best practices.

Quality Assurance: Implement robust quality assurance mechanisms to ensure that the training programs delivered by DJIME meet the highest standards of quality. This can include regular evaluations, feedback mechanisms, and continuous improvement processes to ensure that the training outcomes are aligned with the expectations of Japanese and Indian companies.

Outreach Programmes: Conduct targeted outreach programs in Tier 3 & 4 cities to create awareness about the training opportunities offered by DJIME. This includes organizing career fairs, workshops, and seminars, as well as leveraging social media and local media channels to reach out to potential candidates.

Partnerships with Local Institutions: Collaborate with local educational institutions, vocational training centers, and community organizations in Tier 3 & 4 cities to identify and recruit eligible candidates for the training programs. This can help tap into the local talent pool and ensure maximum representation from these cities.

Financial Aid and Scholarships: Offer financial aid to candidates from Tier 3 & 4 cities who may face financial barriers to access training programs. This include providing stipends to the candidates make the training programs more affordable and accessible to the youth from these areas.

Industry Partnerships for Placements: Forge strong partnerships with local and regional industries to create opportunities for placements of trained youth. This includes conducting industry visits, internships, and apprenticeships, as well as organizing job fairs and placement drives to connect trained candidates with potential employers. Building strong industry linkages can enhance the employability of the trained youth and increase the success rate of placements.

Alumni Network and Career Guidance: Establish a strong alumni network of past trainees who have successfully secured jobs in the industry. Leverage this network to provide ongoing career guidance, mentorship, and networking opportunities to the new trainees. Alumni can also serve as brand ambassadors and help promote the training programs among their peers in Tier 3 and 4 cities.

How have the locals (Neemrana and other adjacent places) reacted to the opening of DJIME?

The opening of DJIME has been met with a positive response from the locals, who are keen to take advantage of the opportunities provided by DJIME. They have been sending their children and acquaintances to enroll in DJIME courses to gain skills for a career in the HVAC industry. The locals are curious about the courses offered at DJIME and are eager to learn how they can benefit from them. DJIME has become a valuable resource for the local community, offering training and skill development opportunities that can open up new career pathways for the youth in the region.

What is the ratio of female to male students at DJIME?

The female-to-male student ratio at DJIME is currently low, at approximately 1:9. This is primarily due to reservations from the local community. However, we are actively working to promote gender diversity by emphasizing that our courses are not exclusive to male students. We are continuously making efforts to create awareness and foster inclusiveness in our institution. It's important to address the reservations and challenges that may be hindering female students from enrolling in the institution. Here are some strategies that you could consider implementing:

Outreach Programmes: Conduct targeted outreach programs to local communities and schools, emphasizing the importance of education for girls and the benefits of gender diversity in the institution. Engage with parents, community leaders, and influencers to address their concerns and misconceptions about female education.

Mentoring and Role Models: Create mentoring programs or connect female students with successful women in the industry who can serve as role models and provide guidance and support. Representation matters, and having female mentors can inspire female students to pursue their education and career goals.

Support Systems: Set up support systems, such as counselling services and mentorship programs, specifically for female students. This can help them navigate any challenges they may face and provide them with the necessary support to succeed in their education.

How has been the response for DJIME in the HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) industry?

Despite limited awareness about DJIME in the HVAC industry, some organizations in nearby areas are familiar with us. However, the organizations that are aware of DJIME have responded positively and expressed interest in collaborating with us for their future training needs.

And yes, the HVAC industry is ready to take on its role in skill development and more over it’s the need of the hour. Looking towards the speedy growth rate of market penetration, there is a high need to skill up people in the specialized domain of air conditioning. This is required to keep up the rapid demand of ACs in market to serve in both the sectors of manufacturing and servicing of air-conditioners. Specialized skilled manpower is required to support the rapid growth of HVAC industry effectively and efficiently in the country.