Bengaluru, October , 2019: In line with its consistent efforts to contribute to the skill development mission of India, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd today announced its partnership with Automotive Skill Development Council (ASDC). This partnership is a part of Toyota’s mission to upscale quality technical training in the Indian Auto Industry. This initiative is focused at bridging the skill gap between ITI and industry need.

The memorandum was signed by Mr. Arindam Lahiri, CEO, Automotive Skill Development Council and  Mr. N Raja, Deputy Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd and Mr. Nikunj Sanghi, Chairman, Automotive Skill Development Council in the presence of senior representatives from Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd-Mr Vedprakash Tiwari, Vice President,  Mr Tadao Kidokoro, Managing Coordinator.

This initiative is targeted towards ITI and Diploma students with an objective of creating qualified manpower that will result in enhancement of service levels at dealerships. In the first phase, TKM will extend this ASDC association with already associated 49 ITI/Diploma TTEP Institutes. This is in- tune with Toyota’s concept of enhancing skill-levels of students and encouraging future entrepreneurs with a goal to provide well-trained, competent work force for the automotive industry. T-TEP will curate a cutting-edge training module, educate and mentor the aspirants on various facets of the automotive system and give them on-job training at their dealership. Based on the training garnered during the course, ASDC will certify the students enhancing their employability quotient.

In phase two, the Dealership Centralized Training Centres (DCTC) across Toyota dealerships in major metros in the country will offer a month-long crash course.  Local students can get a first- hand experience and in-depth knowledge of Toyota standards, tools, engine composition etc. at a ground level.  The objective of establishing such centres at various dealerships is to demonstrate high quality skill standards and make aspirants future-ready by providing expert training, facilities, advanced curriculum and equipment. At the end of crash course, get opportunity to work for dealerships

Proud to partner with TKM on this initiative, Mr. Nikunj Sanghi, Chairman, Automotive Skill Development Council said, “We are happy to associate with Toyota who has been at the forefront of skill development initiatives. It is our commitment to work together with OEMs to build a sustainable skilling ecosystem in the automotive industry. With the ever-evolving customer needs, dynamic regulatory environment, emerging technology trends like electrified, automated, connected, shared technology, these cusps of changes demand for advanced skill levels.  It is important that we provide such avenues for providing specialized trainings, apprenticeship opportunities and quality facilities to make the workforce industry ready. We hope all industry stakeholders come forward to work in an integrated manner to bridge the skill gap in the auto industry”

 Sharing his thoughts on the tie-up, Mr. N Raja, Deputy Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd said, “We are pleased to partner with ASDC to further upscale our comprehensive skill development initiatives. As reports suggest, the auto sector may face the shortage of skilled manpower and only 45.6% of youths are employable as per the skill needed by 2022.  The Automotive Mission Plan (AMP) 2016-26 aims to make the sector a significant contributor to the Skill India Program and one of the largest job-creating engines in the Indian economy.  We are constantly working towards enhancing our skill development initiatives keeping pace with the rapidly changing technology trends and emerging industry needs. ASDC assessment and certification will help in boosting the competency and competitiveness of the ITI students.  Good cars, quality cars are a result of- good people, quality people who think in a sustainable manner. As a responsible automobile manufacturer, we have prioritized sustainable skill development to create world class skilled workforce. This initiative is in line with Government of India’s Skill India Mission to enhance skill and increase the employability of youth workforce.”

Launched in India in 2006, the Toyota Technical Education Program (T-TEP) is a part of the Toyota’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities in-line with the skill enhancement projects that TKM has been undertaking to bridge the skill gap faced by the Indian automotive industry. T-TEPs are established as a result of partnerships with industrial and technical training institutes across India to impart automotive trainings – General Repair, Automotive Body Repair and Automotive Paint Repair, thus, developing a highly-skilled technical workforce with bright career opportunities in the industry.  With this program TKM has been able to enhance the skill sets and employability of ITI students exposing students to the latest technology in automotive repair and on-the-job training at nearby Toyota Dealerships.

Some of the key highlights of TKM’s other skill initiatives follows:

·      Gurukul- Gurukul is a well-equipped learning center at TKM that imparts diverse training to employees at all levels helping them improve their abilities and thoroughly fulfill their roles. Everyone who works in Toyota experiences 70% of their development through the job itself; and the experience serves as a driving force in developing the next generation

 ·       Toyota Technical Training Institute (TTTI)- TTTI is specially created to offer a three year rigorous full-time training in – Automobile Assembly, Automobile Paint, Automobile Weld and Mechatronics (a combination of mechanical and industrial electronics) to financially challenged students hailing from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families across regions of Karnataka state

 · Toyota Apprentice Scheme (TAS) – Under TAS, TKM has trained over 12,000 Apprentice Members (ITI, Diploma and Engineer) since 2002, which makes it one of the largest sources of providing such manpower to the industry

 ·      National Skill Contest– Launched in 2014, National Sales & Service Skill Contest is an initiative that provides Toyota’s dealer sales & service personnel to showcase their skill levels with a view to identify gaps and improvise. Held at three levels – across dealership, regional and national levels, the contestants are evaluated on various parameters such as knowledge, process demonstration, soft skills and role plays among others. Continuous training skills are imparted to hone the dealer personnel skill sets to meet the growing expectations and deliver Toyota’s best-of-all Quality, Durability & Reliability for ultimate customer delight