Investing in People, Building the Future: NMDC’s Holistic Approach to Workforce Development

NMDC has long recognized that its most valuable resource is its people. At NMDC, the bedrock of progress lies in nurturing each employee’s physical well-being, mental resilience, and professional growth. In fiscal 2024-25 alone, the company invested over 16,000 person-days in structured training to the employees, underscoring its commitment to creating a highly skilled and safety-conscious workforce. But NMDC’s commitment goes beyond mere upskilling; it is about nurturing physical well-being, mental resilience, and ethical awareness in a truly inclusive framework. Whether it’s a field technician or a young executive, every individual at NMDC is offered the opportunity to grow, adapt, and lead. 

At the centre of this mission is NMDC’s Vocational Training Centre (VTC), a modern learning space equipped with digital classrooms, safety videos, simulation tools and hands-on labs. Here, employees undergo rigorous training in heavy-equipment handling, preventive maintenance, and process optimization. These courses are often conducted in collaboration with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and industry experts, ensuring that the learning stays aligned with global standards. Safety, of course, is non-negotiable. With modules based on the Mines Vocational Training Rules, 1965, and realistic simulator drills, NMDC reinforces its commitment to “Safety First.” 

To broaden its learning ecosystem, NMDC collaborates with premier institutions like the Engineering Staff College of India, Hyderabad, Administrative Staff College of India, Hyderabad, IIM Visakhapatnam, IIT(ISM) Dhanbad, SCOPE, Delhi and others. These programs bring in expert perspectives on leadership, strategic thinking, and the changing dynamics of the mining sector. Alongside this, the company conducts workshops on POSH, human rights, and corporate governance, strengthening a culture of accountability, inclusion, and mutual respect.

But NMDC’s care extends beyond skills and compliance. In a thoughtful response to modern workplace challenges, the company has introduced a “Happiness Training” program, an initiative aimed at improving mental well-being and stress management. Our goal is simple yet profound; to create a work environment where people feel balanced, heard, and empowered. Early feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with many reporting renewed focus, better emotional resilience, and stronger team dynamics.

The results of this integrated approach are already visible. Productivity across key mining complexes is on the rise. Safety incidents have steadily declined. Most importantly, employees themselves are voicing the change; they feel more confident, more capable, and more connected to the larger purpose of their work.

By weaving together technical excellence, ethical responsibility, and emotional well-being, NMDC is setting a new standard in the mining sector, one where development is measured not just in output, but in the growth of the people who make it possible. This is responsible mining in its truest sense: building resources without losing sight of the human spirit.

Priyadarshini Gaddam, Director (Personnel), NMDC said, “At NMDC, our commitment to nurturing a capable and confident workforce is reflected in the results we’re seeing on the ground. The upskilling of our workforce led to a clear rise in productivity and safety consciousness across our projects. As we continue to invest in our people, we are not only enhancing operational excellence but also reinforcing our responsibility as a model employer in the public sector.”