Axalta partners Bharat Skill Development University for training in automotive painting

Axalta, a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, has announced a five-year partnership with Jaipur-based Bharat Skill Development University (BSDU) to provide Indian youth with hands-on, skills-based training for career development in the automotive industry and body shops.  The partnership is expected to train more than 200 students with certified programs of six months, one year, or three years for a Bachelor of Vocation (B.VOC.)

Axalta will help to design the curriculum and provide extensive coatings training to instructors and selective students from BSDU. The company will also work with BSDU's School of Automotive Skills and provide the necessary tools and equipment, paint mixing machines, paint material and study materials.

“Having a strong pipeline of skilled workers is critical to the long-term growth of India’s automotive sector,” said Lokender Pal Singh, Refinish Director South Asia, Axalta Coating Systems. "The government, as well as industry, have made significant efforts to address this issue through programs like BDSU.  Axalta is very proud to be a part of the solution by supporting Indian youth through our partnership with BDSU.  Our hope is that one day these same students will drive the growth of automotive industry in India.”

BSDU is the first project of its kind in India and is an initiative of the Joshi Foundation Switzerland instituted by Dr. Rajendra Joshi and his wife Mrs. Ursula Joshi. Dr. Joshi initiated this project for Skill Development based on the Swiss Dual System of training. Dual learning incorporates both vocational school learning and practical on the job training. Under this initiative, the School of Automotive Skills was formed in 2017 with the mission to impart knowledge, technical skills, and hands-on training in automobiles, focusing on four wheelers, both petrol and diesel, tractor and agricultural implements. The program is designed to introduce the students to the operation of today's complex vehicles by giving them a comprehensive understanding, basic to advanced, of various automotive systems like Transmission, Brakes, Steering and Suspension, Electrical and Electronics, and Engine Performance. The course is focused on producing skilled manpower for Automotive service industry through regroups training, both at university and at industry through its modular program structure.

Brig. Dr. Surjit Singh Pabla, Vice-Chancellor, BSDU, said: “It is encouraging to see companies like Axalta being so committed to India, our youth, and to bridging the skills gap.  Building up the next generation of our workforce is extremely important as we look to continue to grow and build a strong prosperous automotive industry in India.”