Mumbai: Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M Ltd.), India’s leading SUV manufacturer, recently signed an MOU with the Maharashtra government to promote the Skill India Program in the state. As part of the MOU, Mahindra has adopted the ‘Industrial Training Institute’ (ITI) located at Igatpuri District in Nashik, Maharashtra, in order to equip the local youth with necessary technical skills for them to seek well-paying and respectable jobs in the state’s burgeoning manufacturing industry.
The said MOU was signed by Mr. Yogesh Patil, Dy. Director of Directorate of Vocational Education Training (DVET) on behalf of the Maharashtra government. Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. was represented by Mr. Vijay Kalra, Chief of Manufacturing Operations – Automotive Division, Mr. Vijay Nair, Vice President – Admin & CSR (AFS) & ER (AD), Mr. Hiraman Aher, Vice President – Operations, Nashik & Igatpuri, Mr. Nasir Deshmukh – General Manager – Operations, Igatpuri and Mr. Nitin Deshpande – Head Employee Relations, Igatpuri. The MOU was signed in the presence of the Honorable Chief Minister, Shri Devendra Fadnavis.
Mahindra is the first corporate to execute a public-private partnership with the State of Maharashtra through its executive power as the Director (Training), Directorate of Vocational Education and Training (DVET), Maharashtra State. This MoU is also aligned with the Maharashtra government’s vision to promote the benefits of skill upgradation, skill development and to enhance Instructor Training, thereby creating a robust skill force in line with Make in India. This partnership strives to bridge the gap in availability of skilled manpower for industry, thereby increasing employability. In the long term, this would curb migration of workers to other states and also result in more companies setting up shop in Maharashtra.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Vijay Nair said, “With this MoU, we intend to ‘catch them young’ and take the ‘factory to the school’. The time to train young minds is while they are studying at the ITIs. The time to train is now while the whole country is talking about ‘Skill India’ which reinforces the ‘Make in India’ movement. We appreciate the progressive leadership that Shri Fadnavis is championing creating a transparent and open culture for corporates, along with the Maharashtra government through initiatives like Make in Maharashtra and Skill India. Significant changes in labor legislation coupled with the increased flexibility in the formulation of industrial policy has also enhanced the overall ease of doing business in the state and boosted its position as it continues to be the leading state in India for FDI.”
M&M is optimistic of its support towards the Skill India and Make in Maharashtra campaigns. Raising skill excellence through the educational system at the local level is a promising dream for the youth of our country. Together, we will ensure that the youth RISE to new challenges and the opportunities that the future upholds.