Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has entered into an agreement with Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC) to launch ‘SHIKSHA’, an on-the-job skill development training (OJT) programme aligned with the Skill India Mission. This unique programme, the first ever in Uttar Pradesh, will also help further Toyota’s community programme.
Aimed at providing employment opportunities to the youth of India, this programme will impart industry-relevant training focused on advanced technologies. In the process, it will also ensure that Toyota-trained manpower is available to fulfil industry requirements.
The OJT programme will last 100 days and provide selected students [diploma holders and graduates or students from industrial training centres (ITI)] with sales and marketing skills, product knowledge, as well as awareness regarding road safety and environment.
The SHIKSHA programme will be implemented via select ASDC training partners and Toyota dealers across the state of Uttar Pradesh. The selected students will undergo 100 days of training including two days at the ASDC partner location, eight days at the Toyota dealership and 90 days OJT training at the students’ tehsil location.
In the first phase, the programme will cover 200 students, and will see the setting up of xEV corners (electrified technologies) focusing on self-charging hybrid electric vehicle technology at identified ASDC centres in Uttar Pradesh. This will further amplify and create awareness on electrification and advanced technologies.
MK Shanmuga Sundaram, principal secretary, Vocational Education & Skill Development Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh shared that the TKM-ASDC collaboration will see the establishment of “12 skill-development centres across rural markets with a vision to train 200 rural youths, and make them employable”. According to him, “We are committed to encourage and collaborate with industry partners such as Toyota Kirloskar Motor to contribute towards upskilling of youth, thereby enhancing employment opportunities for better livelihood.”
Vikram Gulati, country head and executive vice president, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, revealed that TKM aspires “to create a pool of advanced and qualified workforce to overcome the dearth of skilled manpower through continuous upgradation of knowledge and skill with special focus on rural students”. The SHIKSHA programme aims to do just that.
“Through this collaboration, ASDC training partners and students will get an opportunity to understand Toyota’s values, safety and advanced technologies. This collaboration will not only benefit students but also the entire industry and thereby, contribute towards Skill India,” pointed out Arindam Lahiri, CEO-ASDC “
V Wiseline Sigamani, general manager, strategic business unit, TKM, emphasised how important it is to “have highly skilled manpower trained in the latest technologies and on hospitality etiquettes, thereby helping enhance their capabilities and making them industry ready.”
