HPWWI Hosts Convocation for First Women Woodworking Batch

By: WE staff | Friday, 26 December 2025

• The HPWWI organized a convocation and award ceremony for its inaugural batch of lady trainees
• This is the first all-women woodworking batch in India
• It is an opportunity that identifies more growing participation of women

The Convocation and Award Ceremony of the first-ever female woodworking trainees by Hettich Poddar WoodWorking Institute (HPWWI) marked an important milestone in women’s engagement in the woodworking and furniture, and fittings industry. The move marks the first-ever all-female woodworking training class in India.

The function took place at Hotel Park Plaza, Faridabad, and honored 108 graduates, with 50 women trainees, who attained HPWWI’s Short-Term Training (STT – Mobilized) course within three months.

Indeed, this was the first major entry into a technical trade that has long been male dominated for most women trainees who participated in this course. In commemoration of this achievement, women trainees received the award of Ice Breaker.

This project has been an embodiment of HPWWI’s commitment to improving access to technical skills for everyone, regardless of gender.

By providing industry-specific training spaces, HPWWI has been working to foster sustainable job opportunities while filling the skills gap in the woodworking industry.

The guest of honor for the event was Amit Prasad, the Director of HPWWI and the Chief Human Resources Officer of Hettich India. In his speech, he talked about the prevailing need for skill development in an appropriate manner.

The certificates attained by the students were recognized by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Furniture & Fittings Skill Council (FFSC). Some awards received were HPWWI Certification, Medal of Merit, and the Ice Breaker Award.

The passing out class comprised students from Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, and included 30 students from disadvantaged backgrounds, as part of HPWWI’s approach to skill development in line with their CSR efforts. HPWWI has training institutes at Mumbai, Faridabad, and Kolkata, set up in partnership with NSDC, FFSC, ITIs, PBSSD, and industry partners in support of their Skill India Mission.

Industry representatives who participated at this event include Canadian Wood, Biesse, Rehau, Felder, Imos, WoodTech, SS Coatings, and Groz Tools. HPWWI's training and operations team participated at this event.

The convocation touched on the importance of formal training and the role of the industry in facilitating job opportunities and the involvement of women in the woodworking industry.