Eicher Group opens driver training academy in Indore

In an effort towards conducting skill development programs for the driver community, the Eicher Group Foundation, the CSR arm of the Eicher Group which includes VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), inaugurated its first-ever Eicher Academy for Drivers at Indore, in Madhya Pradesh on April 23. The foundation also signed an MoU with the state’s directorate of skill development for pre-licensing training.

The academy has been set up to train both heavy and light commercial vehicle drivers and will provide hands-on training using such vehicles. The driver training program will stress upon making both existing as well as aspiring candidates to imbibe safe driving practices. While VECV will provide support for content and offer technical assistance, it has partnered with DB Skills, a skill and knowledge company, which will be engaged for effective program implementation and its monitoring.

The Eicher Academy is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure including multimedia-enabled classrooms, a test track for driving practice, advanced simulators to develop road behaviour, and technical labs for mechanical education.  The trainees will go through rigorous sessions on aspects such as vehicle maintenance, heath and safe practices as well as soft skills for their overall welfare. Final certifications and accreditations will be provided by the Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC).

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, JP Verma, vice-president, VECV, said, “The automotive industry currently faces an acute shortage of skilled drivers. As a responsible manufacturer of commercial vehicles, we are committed to promote up-skilling and employment generation in the commercial vehicle industry. The Eicher Academy for Drivers is an endeavour for an impactful program, which will not just address the need gap by educating the drivers on the required skill sets but also improve driver productivity and retention.”