Rural Talents of Karnataka Win Accolades at the World Skills Competition 2017 Held in Abu Dhabi

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) talents have won 3^rd and 6^th position at the internationally renowned 44^th World Skills Competition that was held from October 15 to 18 at Abu Dhabi. Also called as the ‘Skill Olympics’, the coveted event is one of the most prestigious forums recognizing excellence in vocational education and skills.  All three contestants who represented TKM in the 44^th World Skill 2017 held in Abu Dhabi during Oct ’17 were trained at Toyota Technical Training Institute. While Kiran bagged the bronze medal in the Prototype Modelling Skill, H Varun and T A Anand Kumar, were ranked sixth amongst 39 participants from across the globe in the Mechatronics Skill category.

This year, the competition saw participation from more than 1300 competitors from 59 countries challenging each other in 51 skill categories. India took part in 26 categories winning 2 Medals (silver in patisseries and bronze in prototype) and 9 Medallions of excellence in the respective categories. The team which consisted of 28 talented young minds showcased the best ever performance by India since the country began to take part in the competition in 2007. The participants were selected through a nationwide screening process under the guidance of National Skill Development Council (NSDC).

Initiated in 1950, The World Skills Competition is the global hub for skills excellence and development through international cooperation and development between industry, government, organizations and institutions.  The competitors are all under the age of 22 years (except for four skills that have the age limit of 25).  It is considered to be the global meeting place for government, education, industry and association leaders to discuss relevant and important issues related to skills management.

Commenting on the occasion, Sailesh Shetty, Vice President (HR) Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “We at Toyota are honored that contestants who have been trained at TTTI are making the nation proud at an international platform. The young dynamic talents from rural Karnataka have time and again made their mark at the World Skill Contest under the rigorous training from TTTI.  Toyota’s skill development initiatives are aimed at contributing to Honorable Prime Minister’s ‘Skill India’ mission by bridging the gap between India’s rapidly growing industrial sector and availability of highly skilled workforce to match up with ever changing auto industry. . We further look forward to contributing to India by passing our global manufacturing skills to budding talents across the nation”

As a part of its commitment towards developing world class skilled workforce for the emerging Indian Auto Industry, Toyota in 2007 established the Toyota Technical Training Institute (TTTI) which offers 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 from across Karnataka. This institute exclusively emphasizes on over all development of the trainees as per industry requirements & towards “Perfecting people” and there by contributing young multi skilled, energetic, ideal students to the nation. Training Curriculum is a unique blend which focuses on the holistic development of Knowledge (16%), Skill (34%), Body and Mind (50%) of the students. Last year Toyota’s TTTI institute accomplished a key milestone of being selected for “Manufacturing Skill Transfer Promotion Programme” under the MoC signed by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Government of Japan (METI) and Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Government of India (MSDE).

The company has been tirelessly working towards enhancing the employability quotient in the automobile manufacturing industry in India by promoting unique skill development:

·         Toyota Technical Training Institute (TTTI) offers a three year rigorous full-time training in – Automobile Assembly, Automobile Paint, Automobile Weld and Mechatronics (a combination of mechanical and industrial electronics) TTTI has also been selected as a part of this partnership between Japan and India for the “Manufacturing Skill Transfer Promotion Programme’’

·         Gurukul is a well-equipped learning center at TKM imparts diverse training to employees at all levels which helps them to 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 Education Program (T-TEP) provides technical know-how training to ITI students across India along with providing hands on real time experience within Toyota dealerships

·         Toyota Tantrajna is a unique skill development project initiated in association with the Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC).  A comprehensive year and a month plus [Program duration - 13.5 months] training module consists of an induction and fundamental skill training, On the Job development and class room training and trade knowledge training [including Language - English speaking skills, Computer soft skills, Interview etiquettes, etc.,].  After completion of course evaluation and certification by ASDC, TKM synergizes to connect the trainees with prospective employers through “Job Fair”. Toyota provides an attractive stipend, free commutation and canteen facility for the trainees during the training period.

·         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 Sales Skills Contest – Launched in 2014, National Sales 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