yres has taken a major step towards supporting the transgender community by setting up a skills training center focusing on jute bag manufacturing in Auto Nagar, Hyderabad. This is the first initiative of its kind by Apollo Tires, which aims to train 20 transgender people in practical, marketable skills to increase employability and self-reliance within the community.
The program, run by the Apollo Tire Foundation, will support participants through a three-month structured training course designed to help them develop their vocational skills. At the inauguration of the facility, Apollo Tire Foundation placed an order for 500 jute bags, initially increasing the productivity of the trainees and securing future orders. The program provides students with a stipend during their studies, helping them to alleviate financial pressure while focusing on skill development.
Structured training for economic empowerment
The training center will be divided into two groups of ten people each and will provide trainees with five jute bag making machines, raw materials and basic tools. Skilled instructors provide personalized guidance and training on site, equipping participants with the technical skills required to produce high-quality, market-ready jute bags. Each participant will benefit from three months of practical training, after which they will be able to independently create a range of jute products.
community-centered approach
Rachna, a transgender activist and trainer, spoke of the importance of the program to her community. Rachna emphasized the importance of breaking down patriarchal barriers and binary stereotypes and highlighted the transformative potential of targeted vocational training: “Meaningful change is possible when systems and institutions put their trust in us and support us over the long term. Achieved. ” With experience in advocacy through NGOs, Rachna sees Apollo Tyres’ training program as an important step towards real and lasting change.
Expand outreach and awareness
The Apollo Tire Foundation has included transgender people in its network as peer educators within the trucking community, providing training on health services such as HIV/AIDS prevention. In fiscal year 2024, the foundation worked with 54 transgender peer educators to reach more than 21,500 truck drivers at 20 transfer centers to increase health awareness in the trucking industry. Additionally, as part of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiative, the Apollo Tire Foundation has hired transgender individuals as part of its program staff to further promote inclusion within its organization.
The skill development program in Hyderabad represents a meaningful expansion of Apollo Tires’ community empowerment programs, combining economic support with social inclusion. As this pilot program develops, it can serve as a model for similar initiatives that provide lasting, community-focused opportunities for traditionally underserved populations.
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