Skilling, upskilling and reskilling

When it comes to driving economic growth in India, the real estate sector finds it name among the top contributors to the country’s GDP. It therefore comes as no surprise that the sector is one of the largest employers in the country.

While the sector employs millions, it has most often been perceived as a male-dominated industry. There has been a considerable dearth of women employees. But what’s kept women away from this rapidly growing sector? The answer is multifold.

Today, women are an active part of the India’s growth story. While visible in some sectors, they remain in the shadows in many others.

^{*Source: Pink Collar Skilling: Unleashing the Women Power in Real Estate Sector (2023)}

There is a pressing need to empower women and bridge the gender gap in this industry. Skilling, upskilling, and reskilling programs play a crucial role in addressing this disparity and providing women with opportunity, equality, and success in the real estate sector.

Skilling, upskilling and reskilling are vital interventional strategies that empower women to excel in their current roles and transition to emerging ones as breaking the glass ceiling requires more than just entry-level skills.

There are several benefits that they can bring to the sector. These include:

• Empowering women: Training programs can equip women with technical, managerial, and leadership skills, enabling success in various real estate roles

• Closing the knowledge gap: Initiatives provide access to industry knowledge, trends, and emerging technologies, preparing women for evolving job requirements

• Fostering inclusivity: Upskilling and reskilling women promotes diversity, driving innovation and better business outcomes

• Inspiring entrepreneurship: Skilling programs enable women to start real estate businesses, contributing to economic growth.

   

In management roles too, upskilling and reskilling have become essential for women to enhance their careers. Continuous learning has become key to staying relevant and competitive as the industry evolves with new technologies and regulatory changes.

While skilling, upskilling and reskilling are vital, the type of learning and initiatives are equally important. With more women taking on roles as property/project managers, shift supervisors, agents, brokers and developers, the sector needs to boost up its supervisory skills.

Another key focus area is digital literacy. Many facets of business in real estate is based on smartphone apps. These include project/property management, financial and operational acumen, leadership, and more. With many specialised softwares available to effectively manage projects, lead teams, drive sales, and streamline operations, training women will only empower the sector in the long run.

In addition, given the drive towards sustainability led construction, building and property management practices knowledge of green building practices opens doors to new opportunities in sustainable development and building operations. These skills will women to participate, lead and influence strategy, policymaking and implementation in the sector, contributing to its growth and diversity.

Last year, at the NAREDCO MAHI meeting, JLL released a report to address the challenges women face in the real estate sector, namely lack of opportunities, wage gap and more. Our report recommended structured interventions, skilling partnerships, including mentoring and sponsorship programs, building flexible work models, improving safety and working conditions, and increasing women's representation in the industry.

As an organisation, JLL has taken a few steps in empowering more women in the workforce. We were the first IPC in India to have a woman CEO. The organisation itself is comprised of 34% women. At the India executive board level, 44% are women. To ensure that our women always feel empowered to build a successful career in the organisation and in the sector, we’ve undertaken several initiatives. These include:

• "E-wire", a program that focuses on mentoring and developing women leaders in real estate

• Flexible working hours to support new mothers returning to work after maternity breaks

   

Empowering women in the organisation can in turn benefit the real estate sector and contribute to economic growth. By skilling women, we’re expanding the talent pool, increasing productivity, and driving innovation. Furthermore, it promotes gender equality and social development by breaking down barriers and challenging gender stereotypes.

By investing in women's basic and professional development, the real estate industry can drive progress and lead to a more inclusive and balanced workforce. Achieving gender equality in the sector will help in shaping a more equitable future.