Toyota Kirloskar Motor to hone Karnataka ITI student skills

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Commissionerate of Industrial Training and Employment, government of Karnataka, for imparting industry-specific skill, culture and knowledge to Industrial Training Institute (ITI) students in Karnataka.

Under the MoU, TKM has been identified as an industrial training provider to develop skilled human resources for manufacturing units and first-time entrepreneurs, to equip them for the high-volume production anticipated in the manufacturing sector in light of the government of India’s greater focus on Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Following the MoU, a program focusing on developing students at ITIs situated in all the 31 districts of Karnataka is being implemented. The training program aims at developing youth who are pursuing ITI courses. Admissions to the program will start in August 2021. A 96-hour intensive skill-oriented training program will be imparted in one trade – automobile assembly.

With the program, TKM will enable ITI students to acquire skills relevant to the manufacturing industry and improve their employment potential.  The youth will be trained by certified Toyota trainers having extensive hands-on experience in the globally renowned Toyota Production System. Upon successful completion of the training, the students will have to take up an exam, which will be jointly conducted by ITI and TKM, to be eligible for an apprenticeship in the automotive industry.

Speaking about the collaboration, Dr. S Selvakumar, Secretary to Government, Department of Skill Development Entrepreneurship and Livelihood, Bengaluru, Government of Karnataka, said, “As we continue on the mission to achieve the objectives of Skill India, such collaborations play an important role. Today, the manufacturing industry is rapidly evolving with the advent of emerging technologies and the new normal due to the pandemic. We are happy to partner with Toyota, which has been at the forefront of revolutionizing automotive manufacturing across the world. The classroom training and apprenticeship program being offered under the MoU will help make the ITI students more industry-ready and employable.”

G Shankara, Vice President - HR and Services, TKM, said, “Toyota is a people-centric organisation that focuses on developing its employees. It has developed world-renowned models like Toyota Technical Training Institute (TTTI), Gurukul Skill Development Center and National Manpower Excellence Centers, which focus on transforming youth from the rural hinterlands into world-class competitive technicians.  Our mission is to bring about development by sharing our best practices and contributing to society.”

“TKM has trained more than 12,000 youth through its Apprenticeship program. TTTI has produced more than 700 industry-ready technicians. More than 2,685 engineering students spanning from 23 colleges across the state have been trained in xEV technology webinars. TKM has also hosted the Karnataka State Skill Competition in five trades and trained 482 youth. Further, it has provided its expertise in developing Principals and Training Officers from 20 Government Tool Room and Training Centers across Karnataka. We have deputed certified Toyota trainers to identified ITIs to act as catalysts in developing industry-relevant content, infrastructure, and methodology. As a result, we have been able to develop a competitive talent pool of industry-ready technicians and contribute to the Skill India Mission,” he concluded