US Company Encourages Indian Women in Aerospace Initiative

US-based Lockheed Martin is pushing Indian girls between the age group of 15-18 years to consider jobs in the aviation industry. While India has one of the largest percentage of women in aerospace, it is still way less than equality.

Innovation Growth Program

Lockheed Martin started an initiative called Innovation Growth Program in India a decade ago which focuses on enhancing skills to feed growth in aerospace in the country.

The organisation collaborated with Women in Aviation International (WAI) India and Airports Authority of India to hold an event to support women to visualize themselves as part of the aviation industry at the Indian Navy’s airport in Visakhapatnam. 50 schoolgirls joined the event to access the airport, air traffic control tower and maintenance of aircraft as part of the “Girls in Aviation” initiative.

 Girls in Aviation

The Indian chapter of the U.S.-based WAI and Lockheed Martin India together started Girls in Aviation last year. As many as 100 girls became a part of the programme. It focuses on introducing skills in aviation. Starting with the most basic opportunities available—from loaders and ground handlers. Then taking it to careers in engineering, electronics and serving as crew members, including pilots.

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“In this way, we can unlock the full national potential, underpinning the Government of India’s Skills India initiative.” Radha Bhatia, president WAI India chapter. “We aim to empower girls with the requisite skill sets to take up aviation as a viable carrier option,” she added.

“I’d love to dabble with all the systems in the cockpit. Maybe even design a new cockpit display."

Phil Shaw, CEO, Lockheed Martin India said that the organisation has a woman at the forefront in chairwoman Marillyn Hewson. “It has a diverse workforce in every sense. And our objective is to substantially raise the percentage of women employees in India,” he said.

“We never thought aviation had a role in every career one can think of, before this,” said Anita. She is a student who wanted to be an architect and has now decided she would like to design airports. Renu, another student, said she aims to become an electronics engineer. “I’d love to dabble with all the systems in the cockpit. Maybe even design a new cockpit display," she said.

Picture credit- Media India Group