• Agreement to address the skilled manpower shortage witnessed by the auto sector
• Partnership to facilitate upgradation of state ITI’s colleges, skill development programme and introduction of modular employable skills courses
• Tata AutoComp Systems and Directorate of Employment and Training to undertake various programmes to improve income generation capabilities for the rural youth
• Initiates ‘Earn and Learn Scheme’ for students of Class 10 and Class 12 through three-year technical education, students to be provided stipend during the training period

Taking cognisance of the situation, Tata AutoComp Systems (Tata AutoComp), one of India’s leading automotive components manufacturers, is taking the lead in bridging the gap of the prevailing talent shortage. In a first-of-its-kind public private partnership initiative, Tata AutoComp, today, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Directorate of Employment and Training (DET), Government of Gujarat, in the presence of Vajubhai Vala, minister for transport, finance, labour and employment, and Liladhar Waghela, minister of labour, Government of Gujarat, to improve the employability prospects of the rural youth in Gujarat.

Speaking on the occasion, Gajendra Chandel, president and head, human resources, Tata AutoComp, said, “We are extremely glad to collaborate with the Government of Gujarat on this initiative which is focused on empowering the economically less-privileged youth of our society, through education. The initiative is an important step towards bridging the gap of talent shortage within the auto sector and other industries. It will enhance their employability, increase their income generation capability and make them meaningful members of society. The initiative is in pursuance of the Tata philosophy of investing in the communities we operate in and serve.”

Mr Vala specially appreciated the efforts of Tata AutoComp to launch schemes that would enhance the skill levels of the youth and thereby enhance their employability. He added that “It is very important that at each and every level of the organisation the requisite skill sets exist. This has a great impact on the overall quality of the product.”

Sonal Mishra, director of employment and training, mentioned that through this MoU, Tata AutoComp will train approximately 1500 youth in Gujarat.

Tata AutoComp and DET will introduce various initiatives to impart vocational training amongst the youth across Gujarat, thereby empowering them to leverage opportunities in the nearby industries after completion of the training. DET is authorised and responsible for design, review, approval and implementation of vocational training to the youth of Gujarat in the field of various engineering and non-engineering trades. The MoU between Tata AutoComp and DET will entail the following:

Launch of ’Earn and Learn Scheme’ in Gujarat
Tata AutoComp will implement a unique ‘Earn and Learn Scheme’ for boys who have passed their Class 12; and girls who have passed their Class 10, who will undergo a three-year training at a technical training institute. These students will be imparted on-the-job training for five days a week at one of Tata AutoComp’s manufacturing facilities in Halol and Sanand and a one-day theory class.

The technical training institute, through its affiliate university, would conduct periodic examinations and on successful completion of the training, the students would be conferred a diploma in engineering (mechanical or electrical) or bachelors in manufacturing by a state or AICTE approved university. The Government of Gujarat would also recognise this programme and help the technical institute seek affiliation with a university in Gujarat. Tata AutoComp has successfully launched the ‘Earn and Learn Scheme’ in Maharashtra and Karnataka since 2010.

MES courses:
Tata AutoComp and DET will jointly train the existing semi-skilled manpower employed across industries in the state under the modular employable skills (MES) course. MES is the minimum skill set required to get employment in the labour market. MES courses will be introduced and after completion of the training programme at the vocational training providers centre, certification will be provided by the National Council of Vocational Training.

Upgradation of Government ITI
Under the MoU, Tata AutoComp will adopt one of the Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) in Ahmedabad to enhance and upgrade the level of training imparted to students at this ITI college,; thereby bridging existing gaps to meet the required skill set of the industries across the state. The students at the ITI college will be empowered with information and knowledge on the various technological advancements relevant to their training syllabus.

Tata AutoComp’s skill development programme
HSC and SSC pass candidates across Gujarat interested in the skill development programme will undergo a training programme of six months to three years at any of the Tata AutoComp manufacturing units ie, Tata Yazaki Autocomp Systems, Tata Toyo Radiators, Tata Johnson Controls Automotive, Interiors and Plastic Division, and Automotive Stampings & Assemblies, located in Sanand and Halol districts, Gujarat. During their training period the students will also earn a stipend.

Further, Tata AutoComp will establish a training centre with the required facilities and basic infrastructure wherein selected candidates will undergo a systematic and on-the-job training programme to develop their knowledge, skills and competencies over a period of three years. The cost of training facilities and infrastructure will be borne by Tata AutoComp.