Will train factory managers in critical manufacturing skills
Pune, India – August 26, 2016 – The Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) held a launch ceremony for the first India EHS+ Center in Pune, marking the official transition from the Center’s pilot phase to a fully-operational environment, health & safety training center.
The Center was initiated by the Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) with Symbiosis Institute of International Business supported by Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Walt Disney Company, General Electric and the MacArthur Foundation. The Center, which began trainings factory managers in 2015, is India’s first Going forward, the Center will train over 350-500 factory managers annually.
The EHS+ Center in Pune follows on the success of ISC’s EHS+ Centers established in China and Bangladesh. Each EHS+ Center is a public-private partnership that brings together a local academic institution, corporate, nonprofit and government partners to provide technical training in essential skills for EHS management and sustainability leadership. Together, these Centers comprise the EHS+ Network to advance sustainable manufacturing in Asia.
Hundreds of global brands have partnered with EHS+ Centers to train their managers and suppliers, and consider the program an integral tool to achieve their global sustainability goals. After the training, factory managers work to strengthen workplace health and safety and drive improvements in environmental health, energy efficiency, and greenhouse gas management.
The Government of India through its National Manufacturing Policy (NMP) has taken various measures to increase the contribution of the manufacturing sector to 25 per cent of the National GDP and create 100 million additional jobs by 2022. In this context, the launch of the first EHS+ Center in India provides an opportunity for Indian manufacturers to pursue inclusive, environmentally friendly growth that leads to overall sustainable development.
The launch highlighted challenges and best practices for integrating sustainability across supply chains in India, and the Center’s unique approach to enhance the capacity of Indian industries to improve performance in sustainable manufacturing. Speaking at the event, ISC President George Hamilton remarked, “The EHS+ Center here in Pune is an incredible example of partnership, teamwork, and commitment from our staff here in India, from our colleagues at Symbiosis Institute for International Business, and our funding partners GE, the Walt Disney Company, USAID, Mahindra & Mahindra and MacArthur Foundation. To date, the Center team has worked with over 1,000 trainees from 30 factories – we know that you will continue to build on this amazing success!”
Expanding on USAID’s support to the EHS+ Center, Ambassador Jonathan Addleton, USAID Mission Director to India, said: “USAID is delighted to partner in launching and fully operationalizing this EHS+ Center. We are optimistic that the training center will herald India’s manufacturing sector on to a green and cleaner path where health and safety of workers are in line with international practices and managers are better trained to help their factories grow responsibly and sustainably.”
Also making remarks at the launch were: Founder & President of Symbiosis Society, and Chancellor of Symbiosis International University (SIU), Padma Bhushan, Dr. S.B. Mujumdar; Vice Chancellor of SIU, Dr. Rajani Gupte; Chief Purchase Officer of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.,Mr. Hemant Sikka; Executive Director of Mahindra Education Trust and Chief CSR of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., Ms. Sheetal Mehta; and the Country Director of MacArthur Foundation’s India Office, Ms. Moutushi Sengupta.
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ABOUT THE EHS+ CENTER
The EHS+ Center offers affordable, industry-relevant EHS training and technical assistance to reduce water and energy waste, decrease carbon emissions and toxic pollution, and serves as a high-quality partner to Indian and global businesses. The EHS+ Center in Pune, created in a partnership between ISC and SIIB, works with industry partners to reach the small and medium enterprises that constitute the supply chain manufacturing side of the industry. The custom-made curricula and trainings of the EHS+ Center allow small and medium enterprises to integrate environment, health and safety practices into their business operations. www.ehs.siib.ac.in
ABOUT ISC
An international nonprofit organization, the Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) has 25 years of practical experience working with local leaders to accelerate climate change and sustainability solutions. ISC’s programs are designed to facilitate peer learning and engagement among local leaders charged with the work of making their communities more sustainable. ISC has led 103 projects in 30 countries, and currently works in China, India, Bangladesh and the United States. www.sustain.org