An event organized by Ambuja Foundation and Apparel Made-Ups & Home Furnishing Sector Skill Council organized an event in August for the women of Virasat to foster continuous improvement and excellence in the workplace. 

At this event 100 women from four stitching units/Common Facility Centres (CFCs) (CFC Shambukalan, CFC Aulakh, CFC Kotbai, and CFC Buladewala) came together to discuss the 6 principles of the Sector Skill Council – Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain and Safety. Women artisans from the four centres actively participated - showcasing their commitment towards these principles.

Each of the stitching units presented their products and how they utilized the 6 principles while making their products, ensuring efficiency, safety and overall building a health environment. Some centres focused on its efforts in reducing waste and optimizing workspace through the innovative reorganization of tools and materials, leading to significant time savings and enhanced productivity. One unit implemented new safety protocols and conducted training sessions for all artisans. Their efforts resulted in a safer working environment and a noticeable reduction in workplace incidents. Another unit showcased their meticulous cleaning routines and maintenance schedules, ensuring that all equipment and workspaces were kept in optimal condition. 

The host centre presented it’s comprehensive approach to standardization, where they introduced uniform procedures across all operations, resulting in consistency in product quality and reduced process variations. Awards were also distributed to the units for the best implementation of the 6 principles followed by appreciation and networking. Dignitaries at the event included Atul Madan (Director, Operations & Training), Pooja Makhija (Director, Fashion Futures), Anubhav Bhardwaj (Head of Skills), Himanshu Veer (Deputy Director), Gaurav Singh (Assistant Director - North Region) and senior representatives from Ambuja Foundation.

The Kaizen and 6S event at Buladewala was a resounding success and not only recognized the hard work and dedication of the women artisans but also reinforced the importance of continuous improvement and adherence to 6S principles in ensuring a productive and safe working environment. The event concluded with a renewed commitment from all participants to uphold these practices in their daily operations. Ambuja Foundation along with HDFC Bank Parivartan has been promoting women’s collective, Virasat-E-Malwa, to revive traditional handicrafts in Punjab like phulkari, dhurrie and crochet – selling products via participation of handicrafts and handloom fairs in Punjab and Delhi. An MOU has been signed with Sector Skills Council Apparel to work on the skill and quality enhancement of master trainers for stitching.