Apollo Tyres has taken a bold step toward social inclusion by launching a skill training center specifically for transgender individuals in Hyderabad's Auto Nagar. This pilot programme seeks to empower participants through practical training in jute bag production, targeting economic independence and employability for 20 community members.
The Apollo Tyres Foundation has initiated the programme with an order of 500 jute bags, with more orders expected to sustain production. Over the three-month training period, participants will work in two groups, supported with stipends and access to five jute bag-making machines. A skilled instructor will provide hands-on guidance to ensure high-quality production.
Rachna, a trainer and transgender activist, commended the program, emphasizing the need to confront gender stereotypes and the vital role of long-term institutional support. “Real change requires trust and commitment,” Rachna stated, underscoring the foundation’s crucial backing.
Apollo Tyres further demonstrated its commitment to inclusion through its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) program by engaging transgender individuals in educational outreach. In FY24, 54 transgender peer educators raised HIV/AIDS awareness among over 21,500 truck drivers at key transshipment hubs. This initiative strengthens Apollo Tyres' goal to broaden economic opportunities while actively integrating the transgender community into its broader social projects.
