International Women’s Day 2018! All about HPCL’s Entrepreneurship Development Project

Vision behind EDP: How did it come about?

Like many other organisations, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) culture encourages and enables its employees to participate in various CSR project, which translate in nation building activities, focus in areas of child care, education, healthcare, skill development, community development and Swatch Bharat Abhiyan.

The employees of HPCL, who make up All India Hindustan Petroleum SC/ST Employees’ Welfare Association (HPSEWA) is dedicated to the development of marginalised community. Entrepreneurship Development Project is its flagship project, which aims to define “development of marginalised community” beyond the scope of economic parameter.

Why was it necessary?

While the SC/ST population has been making steady progress in education, their participation in the business activities is extremely low. Various government and community based organisations are making efforts to enable SC/ST population to get into businesses, bring together existing SC/ST businesses to create larger lobby groups, etc. But given the current presence of these communi-ties in business, the effort needed is exponentially large.

Given the government’s focus and significance of economic as well social progress of marginalised communities, HPSEWA with the help of HPCL CSR decided to launch a pilot programme to create entrepreneurs from educated SC/ST youth, where HPSEWA and its volunteers would play a key role in executing the programme.

EDP – I

Salient Features

• Pilot project with introduction of mentoring, handholding and providing business platform to first time entrepreneurs, a concept which was new in the field of CSR or any other entrepreneur courses
• 35 candidates selected for the batch
• One month’s residential EDP classroom in Mumbai with rigorous schedule.
• Zero drop out from the batch; 35 entrepreneurs graduated; 35 companies registered under MSME
• Companies registered panned across industrial and non-industrial goods and services
• Eco-system consisting HPCL officers as E Gurus and HPSEWA members as E Moms and Dads created to provide support and handholding for 12 months
• Guidelines on providing opportunity were issued by HPCL’s CFD MoUs under Make in India signed between the 35 entrepreneurs and the government of Maharashtra
• The project was appreciated by MOPN and G and other GoI statutory bodies.
• Approximately Rs 3 Crore of business in HPCL handled by EDP-I companies till date

As of date 27 companies are active with eight still to make a mark in business

EDP – II

Why the second EDP?

After the successful implementation of EDP–1, the scale of passion and determination seen in these budding entrepreneurs gave direction in conducting further EDPs. HPCL felt that it needs to do more in view of the strong experience of working with the SC/ST youth.

Why only for women?

EDP–I was a pilot of a mixed batch where women population was 20%. Shri Pushp Kumar Joshi, Director HR suggested implementation of EDP II with focus on women. HPSEWA found the idea appropriate as women are even more neglected segment when it comes to business and HPCL-HPSEWA wanted to reach out to them and provide them with best possible learning environment. Success in this batch would be a huge confidence booster for everyone and enable us to look at various sub-segments to ensure greater relevance of entrepreneurship development programmes.

How is it different?

EDP–II was different from EDP-I in the following ways-

1. Company registration was done at the end of week-I after clearing the basics and finalising business ideas, so that most of the other formalities can be completed while the batch is still
with us.
2. Some structural changes were made to the programmes to include the learnings from EDP-I. For example, the hours 9 A.M. – 5 P.M. were dedicated to the core entrepreneurship subjects, 5 P.M. – 7.30 P.M. were reserved for technical sessions by HPCL and other company managers. Saturdays were reserved for visits by external dignitaries, entrepreneurs, officials, bankers etc. Sundays were given off. The EDP–I was run more strictly with activity starting at 6 am with Yoga and no breaks on Sundays.
3. More representatives from other PSUs were invited to experience the programme and take inspiration to run similar programmes
4. Greater help was sought from banks to assist in preparing for availing business loans under various schemes

EDP III

With the two batches trained at Mumbai, it was pertinent for HPCL to move out and introduce the concept to other than Mumbai. It was decided to conduct EDP III in Visakhapatnam as the place holds ample opportunities for new businesses considering the presence of number of established industries.

How is it different?

The success of EDP model has attracted the attention of Centre Government. Our Ministry, that is MOPN and G has taken upon itself to support and push the agenda of EDP. Oil industry has also shown interest in collaborating for further batches. EDP III is thus Joint Collaboration between HPCL and GAIL with equal share of funding the program.

Future EDPs. Will this only remain for SC/ST or will be extended to other disadvantaged sections

EDP–I was run as a pilot and its successful outcome validated our EDP model. HPSEWA has further expressed its desire for EDP exclusively for farmers’ wards.

It is not intended that EDP be limited to SC/ST alone and it is entirely possible that this programme is extended to others too, but given the current participation of SC/ST in business, we believe our hands will be full catering to this population for the near future.

Achievements of EDP

Government of India through MSME is trying best possible means to achieve inclusive growth of our nation. This EDP model is tested and proven. This is the only model available in India, which is inclusive socio-economical initiative which can be replicated at any location /part/state of India.

HPCL has already taken a step forward to invite all Oil PSUs to join in this project. MOPNG is also encouraging other Oil PSUs to replicate HPSEWA-HPCL model of EDP, which is now popularly called as “mentoring model”. BPCL has already adopted this model and has run one first batch. GAIL has collaborated with HPCL for EDP III.

Further, HPCL’s management has in August 2017 modified its Procurement policy making it easier for giving business to  start-ups under EDP. This step not only covers entrepreneurs of EDP run by HPCL, but other EDPs on similar lines conducted by other PSUs.