ASDC and RTI Join Hands to Upskill Workforce for the EV Industry

New Delhi: The Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC), the only skill council of India for automobile industry, has partnered with Research Triangle Institute (RTI) India, a leading research and consultancy organisation to develop a comprehensive institutional capacity and skills development program for electric mobility with a focus on public transport in Kakinada Smart City, Andhra Pradesh.  This initiative is being conducted under the UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UK PACT) funded by the UK Government. The UK PACT program is being executed under the auspices of Kakinada Municipal Corporation.

As electric vehicles (EV) are increasingly becoming a popular transport mode, it is crucial to have skilled technicians and a ready workforce onboard. This project aims to overcome the institutional capacity gaps in a future where electrified public transport is envisioned to be an important constituent of smart cities.

The skilling program includes two technical training courses i.e., a) EV repair and service technician; and b) EV charging station attendant. The training modules aim to upskill marginalized youth to generate employment opportunities and create skilled manpower in electric mobility segment. The two technical training modules are being offered to 66 eligible candidates fulfilling the minimum educational criteria. The trainings are being conducted in Pithapur Raja’s Government College, Kakinada.

ASDC envisions making India self-sufficient in the availability of skilled personnel for sustaining growth and increasing competitiveness of the domestic automobile industry.

Arindam Lahiri, CEO, ASDC said: “As a council, we are encouraging such initiative by providing practical training, apprenticeship, and internship opportunities to the program students to make the workforce industry ready. Making automotive job aspirants future-ready skilled in electric vehicle technology will help optimize employment opportunities.”

“Inclusion of women in workforce have always been challenging in the automotive industry, electric vehicle offers an opportunity for us to enhance the women inclusion in the industry. We are extremely happy to see women participation, who want to take up career in electric vehicle technician or service job roles,” further he added.

Krithika P R, Project Manager, RTI added, “EV Penetration is set to increase in Kakinada, and we found that there is a lack of skilled workforce which can repair and service light electric vehicles such as electric two-and-three-wheelers. There is also a need of skilled operators that can carry out operational tasks at an EV charging station. Further, there are significant opportunities for livelihood enhancement of women. This led to the formulation of two customised training courses for the economically weaker sections in Kakinada to function as E3W EV Mechanics and charging station operators. This training program can be replicated in other smart cities as well.”