Tata Motors, a prominent automobile manufacturer in India and a trailblazer in the country’s electric vehicle revolution, is actively implementing a comprehensive strategy to cultivate a highly skilled and future-ready workforce. This strategy is centered around electric vehicles (EVs) and other cutting-edge technologies, catering to the swiftly expanding and ever-changing landscape of India’s automotive sector.
Recognizing the crucial importance of enhancing capabilities to adapt to rapid technological advancements and market shifts, Tata Motors has embraced a holistic approach to upskilling. Specifically tailored training modules have been designed to meet the diverse developmental needs of employees, ranging from shop floor technicians to line engineers and plant management. These modules not only impart relevant technical skills but also focus on functional expertise, managerial proficiency, and leadership capabilities.
Elevating Tata Motors Workforce: Empowering for the Future
Tata Motors is fervently committed to preparing its workforce for the future through a robust upskilling initiative. With a bold vision of equipping more than half of its employees with cutting-edge automotive technology skills within the next five years, the company invested over 340,000 hours in specialized training and development during FY23.
To achieve this goal, Tata Motors has adopted a multifaceted approach. Collaborating with esteemed tech partners such as ARAI, Bosch, Mathworks, and SAE, among others, the company offers professional certification programs in Connected, Electric, Shared, and Safe (CESS). These programs encompass expert-level modules on diverse subjects like Advanced ADAS, Battery Technology, V2X Connectivity, Blockchain & Cybersecurity, and Big Data Analytics. By partnering with industry-leading organizations, Tata Motors ensures its employees receive top-notch education and hands-on experience in emerging technologies.
Additionally, Tata Motors has forged partnerships with renowned institutions like BITS Pilani, MIT-ADT University Pune, and Symbiosis International, among others, to create tailored courses. These company-sponsored programs enable employees to pursue higher education opportunities such as B.Tech, M.Tech, and Executive MBA, fostering their technical, professional, and leadership skills essential for future success.
A unique higher education initiative targets shopfloor technicians across plants. Through specialized programs focused on auto electrical and electronics, mechatronics, and specialized welding skills, technicians can earn a ‘Diploma in Engineering.’ This qualification not only supports their career growth but also aligns with the evolving needs of the automotive industry.
Embracing the digital era, Tata Motors has implemented comprehensive digital transformation and e-learning initiatives. Utilizing digital technologies, the company offers curated functional e-learnings and virtual classrooms accessible to all employees. This approach allows individuals to upskill at their own pace, fostering continuous growth and development while meeting the diverse needs of the workforce. Tata Motors is paving the way for a future-ready, highly skilled workforce equipped to navigate the complexities of the evolving automotive landscape.
Empowering Former Ford Employees at the Sanand Plant: A Skill Enhancement Endeavor
Following the acquisition of the Ford India facility in Sanand in January 2023, Tata Motors has taken proactive steps to enhance the capabilities of the newly acquired workforce. Teaming up with Gujarat’s esteemed Ganpat University, Tata Motors has introduced comprehensive learning programs meticulously designed to align with the latest advancements in manufacturing technologies. These programs cover pivotal areas such as Industry 4.0, Smart Manufacturing, Advanced Control Engineering, and Advanced Manufacturing Systems and Processes.
In collaboration with Tata Motors, Ganpat University has curated specialized courses on cutting-edge automotive systems like ADAS, Connected Cars, CESS, and Control Systems. These courses are offered through a blend of classroom sessions and hands-on practical training, catering to diverse levels of expertise, ranging from Postgraduate (MTech) to Graduate (BTech) and Diploma programs. Starting in February 2023, these advanced courses have garnered enthusiastic participation from more than 820 employees, equipping them with future-oriented skills.
Nurturing Talent Through Apprenticeship Programs: Shaping the Future Workforce
Tata Motors’ prominent full-time Apprenticeship Programme stands as a testament to its commitment to cultivating a pool of young, skilled, and digitally proficient professionals. Focusing on high-demand skills such as mechatronics, IoT, robotics, and AI, this program provides hands-on training, preparing students for promising careers within the automotive industry.
Utilizing an innovative ‘Learn & Earn’ model, the program caters to students with ITI/12th pass backgrounds, offering specialized training in specific skills. Upon successful completion, apprentices are well-equipped to secure employment opportunities across the automotive industry and its supporting ecosystem. Currently, more than 13,000 students are enrolled in this program, with over 88% of graduates finding employment with esteemed channel partners. Notably, the program has witnessed a significant surge in the participation of women, quadrupling the number of registered female participants from FY22 to FY24, signifying a more inclusive and diverse talent pipeline.
Championing Diversity and Inclusion in Manufacturing: Tata Motors’ Progressive Initiatives
At Tata Motors, the commitment to fostering workplaces that champion diversity and provide equal opportunities stands as a cornerstone of their corporate ethos. The company has taken significant strides in enhancing gender diversity on the shop floor, exemplified by the TCF assembly line in their Pune Plant, which is entirely operated and managed by women employees. Currently, Tata Motors boasts a workforce of over 4500 women employees across all plants, contributing their diverse functional expertise. This steadfast dedication to diversity not only cultivates an inclusive environment but also fuels innovation within the organization.
Commenting on the upskilling initiatives and the comprehensive learning program, Mr. Sitaram Kandi, Vice President – HR, Passenger Vehicles, and Electric Vehicles, emphasized Tata Motors’ unwavering commitment to its legacy of nation-building and pioneering efforts in the Indian auto industry. In the face of a dynamically evolving industry, consistent upskilling and training are imperative to staying ahead of the curve and ensuring readiness for the future. Tata Motors has transitioned into a learning organization, marked by a meticulously structured approach to upskilling. Through strategic collaborations with technology partners and academic institutions, the company offers tailor-made training programs, spearheads a nationwide ‘learn & earn’ apprenticeship initiative, and maintains a sharp focus on diversity and inclusion.
This concerted effort is not just beneficial for Tata Motors and its channel partners; it also extends to the broader Indian auto industry and its enabling ecosystem. By nurturing a capable, future-ready workforce, Tata Motors is not only enhancing its own capabilities but also contributing significantly to the advancement of the entire Indian automotive sector.
