New Delhi: Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC), India’s sole sector skill council for the automobile industry, organized a highly successful skill-oriented annual event ‘Partners Forum – 2023’. The event took place on Thursday, 22 June 2023, at Hotel Crown Plaza, New Delhi, and was inaugurated by Chief Guest Dr. Hanif Qureshi, IPS, Joint Secretary (Automobile) Ministry of Heavy Industries and Guest of Honour Dr. Neena Pahuja, Executive Member, NCVET, Vinod Agarwal, MD & CEO VECV and President, ASDC, Dr Rodney Reviere – Project Head Indo German Program for Vocational Education and Training ( IGVET), and Tarun Aggarwal, Vice President (Head CSR), Maruti Suzuki India Ltd graced the occasion. ASDC grabbed the opportunity to unveil the ‘Sankalp TOT Impact Report and MHI 23 Future Qualifications’, providing comprehensive details about the vast opportunities available in the automobile sector for aspiring youth. Over 250 industry partners attended the forum across the country and discussed the upcoming challenges and their solutions.
This year’s forum revolved around the theme “Skilling the Future Together” It aims to acknowledge the rapidly evolving nature of the industry, necessitating collaboration among individuals, businesses, governments, and the skilling ecosystem to develop and enhance the skills required in the future. Three different sessions on Integrating Skill with Education: Opportunities & Challenges, Enhancing Productivity and Quality through Skilling, and Skilling through CSR Initiative were organized at the events, and renowned industry leaders emphasizes the importance of upskilling current employees to meet the demands of emerging technologies and processes, as well as attracting and training new talent to enter the industry.
Mr. Vinod Agarwal, MD & CEO of VECV and President of ASDC, highlighted the annual update on ASDC and expressed his views on the changing landscape of the automotive industry and the future of work. He stated that during the past financial year, ASDC completed more than one lakh apprenticeships. This achievement reflects the dedication and commitment of ASDC and its partners in delivering high-quality skill development programs. ASDC has also developed training programs for robotics and automation, smart manufacturing, industry 4.0 technology, electric vehicles and alternative fuel technology, automotive sustainability, and safety.
Additionally, Mr. Agarwal mentioned that ASDC has actively collaborated with various international forums, sharing best practices and learning from global counterparts. This knowledge exchange has not only enriched ASDC’s training programs but has also positioned the Indian automotive industry as a hub of skilled professionals on the global map.
Mr Vinkesh Gulati, Chairman of Research and Academy at the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association warmly welcomed the esteemed Chief Guest and Guest of Honour, and Dr. Hanif Qureshi, IPS, Joint Secretary (Automobiles) at MHI, emphasized the significance of collaborative skilling for the future and its impact on the automotive industry. As the Chief Guest, stated, “The automobile industry requires a significant number of skilled individuals. There is still much work to be done, and while ASDC has done a commendable job, we must prioritize skilling in new technologies.”
Furthermore, Dr. Qureshi highlighted the crucial role played by the Government of India in facilitating the industry’s transition to new technologies through schemes such as PLI ACC, PLI Auto, and FAME II. He urged the industry to take advantage of the MHI schemes and expressed confidence that the Indian automotive industry would establish itself in the global market.
He added, “Electric vehicles (EVs) present a remarkable opportunity for India to compete globally. Let us ensure that the Indian EV story becomes the global EV story.” Dr. Qureshi emphasized the potential for the electric vehicle sector in India to become a leader and encouraged the industry to focus on lighter batteries and reducing reliance on imported rare earth magnets.
The ASDC’s Partners Forum – 2023 has successfully brought together key stakeholders, industry experts, and policymakers to deliberate on crucial aspects of skilling and shaping the future workforce in the automotive sector. ASDC celebrated the convocation ceremony for candidates of DABAD Automotive Pvt Ltd and felicitated the WorldSkills winners and industry partners at the forum. Through collaborative efforts, the industry is poised to thrive, create new employment opportunities, and contribute significantly to India’s economic growth.
