[JayPrashanth]

Link to News Section

Melbourne-based Sewells Group, an organization engaged in providing training solutions to automotive companies, has tied up with National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC) to form a joint venture company called SkillSource Learning and Technologies Private Limited. NSDC is a not-for-profit organization, in a public (49%) - private (51%) partnership model.



This company will train the retail staff for automotive dealerships across the country through institutes under the "National Technical Institute" brand name. Currently, plans to set up 40 such institutes, which will train 400,000 auto dealership staff are in existence.



Given the Indian car market's potential for high future growth, the demand for a large workforce engaged in front office, sales and after sales functions is said to grow considerably. Considering the fact that the Indian auto sector has been seeing a de-growth across segments over the last one year or so, the NSDC-Sewells initiative seems to be one that clearly has the future of the Indian automobile industry in sight.

Although car ownership continues to grow at a rapid pace, the buying experience often leaves a lot to be desired. As a car is usually the second largest purchase that a person makes in her/his lifetime, a good dealership experience is often the difference between a buyer signing the cheque or walking out of the showroom. With the setting up of the National Technical Institutes, service quality at auto dealerships in India could improve, benefiting dealers and buyers alike.

The following are comments from the various stakeholders involved in this project:

Dilip Chenoy, CEO of NSDC said on the occasion, “Looking at the significance of auto industry in our economy, a skill development effort focussed on this industry will certainly provide rich dividends both from social and economic perspectives. We are excited about this project.”

Sewells Group India CEO Jayesh Jagasia said “Skill Shortage is a global phenomenon which does not have an easy solution. India can build a huge comparative advantage by focusing on skill development. Getting this right is of immense strategic value to our nation and we are committed to it.”

Himanshu Dhamesha, Business Head of SkillSource said, “Automotive dealerships in India are going to require approximately 25 Lac additional people over next decade or so, with majority in front line after-sales and sales positions. This presents a huge challenge to the industry and an opportunity for an expert training company like ours to provide the trained manpower to the industry. While our skill development effort will focus on auto retail, we hope to be the role model for other skill development initiatives in the country.”

[MaxTorque]

Good move indeed. They should extend this facility to general public as well. So that our road side garages will also get equipped with better skilled people. Also it can easily make employment opportunities for many ITI certificate holders those who do not have any practical knowledge.