Mahindra Finance and Manipal Academy of BFSI launch ‘Prarambh’, first of its kind women-centric programme

• Prarambh’ to encourage women for careers in the financial services sector 

• Facilities to include mediclaim, wellness policies, and maternity benefits 

Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited (MMFSL), part of the Mahindra Group and one of India’s leading Non-Banking Finance Companies, announced a strategic partnership with Manipal Academy of BFSI, a leading hiring and training institute for BFSI careers. This partnership will offer a specialized business training programme called ‘Prarambh’ exclusively for women candidates. 

‘Prarambh’ is curated to provide women candidates with a pathway to careers in the financial services sector and empower them with necessary skillset for career progression. It would start with the role of Business Executive while providing industry-standard remuneration. 

The selected candidates will undergo a 30-day online certification course, crafted by the institute, focusing on key aspects of sales and finance. A total of 40 candidates from the first batch (started on 5th February 2024) will receive a certification in sales from Manipal Academy of BFSI upon completion. 

Manish Sinha, CHRO, Mahindra Finance, said, “At Mahindra Finance, we prioritise Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as key enablers for our success. We believe in creating equitable opportunities for women in our organisation to help build successful careers with us. In this regard we are pleased to announce our partnership with Manipal Academy of BFSI to empower women at the workplace. This initiative underscores our commitment to foster a landscape where women can thrive and achieve their potential.” 

Mr. Robin Bhowmik, Chief Business Officer Manipal Academy of BFSI said, “: At Manipal Academy of BFSI, we recognize the immense potential that women bring to the table in the BFSI domain. Our women-only training batch is a strategic move to harness that potential building a diverse and inclusive workforce. Prarambh is a significant step towards building a stronger Diversity ratio at Mahindra Finance, it will contribute to create a more equitable workplace. By tailoring our training specifically to the needs and strengths of female candidates, we will not only increase our women hires but also set them up for success.”

The eligibility criteria for applicants include being a graduate, aged 28 years or below, with a minimum of 50% marks in the 10th, 12th, and graduation courses. The candidates can register online followed by a written test for verbal, analytical & numerical ability, written English, and a listening comprehension test. This would be followed by an online panel interview with both teams and candidates clearing both steps would receive a Provisional Offer Letter (POL).

The selection process for the next batch will commence from June 2024. The enrolment fee for the programme is Rs. 42,000/- + taxes and the job benefits include a group mediclaim policy of up to Rs. 3.5 lacs, several maternity benefits, women’s wellness policies, women’s travel and accommodation privileges, and many other perks.

The prospective candidate, through this programme will acquire comprehensive knowledge of their job, and the company’s business operations. In addition, they will also develop insights into industry trends, enabling them to stay ahead of the curve. The programme will focus on enhancing participants’ communication skills, including engaging with customers and building relationships.

Mahindra Finance plans to consistently recruit more women this year through the ‘Prarambh’ scheme. They aim to further boost women’s workforce representation and redefine societal paradigms on gender-based limitations which are considered unconventional careers for women.