Industry-academia collaboration: Tata Motors joins hands with Karnataka's DPITI

In yet another instance of the growing industry-academia connect in India, Tata Motors in association with Deshpande Private Industrial Training Center (DPITI) of Vocational Training, has initiated a one-year certificate programme in ‘Production Technology’, to enhance employability skills of youth in India.

A learn-and-earn program, Tata Motors will bear all expenses related to training of the selected candidates, during the duration of their training.

Commenting on the programme, K Mohan Kumar, Plant Head - Dharwad, Tata Motors, said, "Skill development is an important pillar in our journey of transformation. Initiatives of ‘World Class Quality’ and ‘Do It First Time Right’ will be strengthened through this certification programme which will not only help these students in enhancing their skills, but will also be help in meeting industry needs, which will be beyond the classroom training.”

As per the MoU, DIVT will provide technical inputs over a period of 12 months and hand-hold the youth to be industry- ready. Sharing his thoughts on the association, Prakash Prabhu, administrator, DPITI, said, "Our institute has been focusing on providing quality education through its various ITI programmes affiliated to NCVT and SCVT. This certification programme will help students across Karnataka in building industry-specific skills through its classroom and on-the-job training”. 

How the training programme stacks up

The production training course is designed into two parts – technical orientation, delivered through classroom sessions and on-the-job training in a world-class manufacturing facility. The program is divided under different kinds of skill sets, with a focus on welding, painting and vehicle electronics skills. During the first eight weeks, trainees will be groomed on behavioural skills, combined with technical knowledge at DIVT Campus, making them ready for industry. Thereafter, trainees will be taken through focused on-the-job training jointly by DIVT and Tata Motors at the Dharwad plant. The course gives due importance to enhancing practical knowledge, improving the skill level of the candidates, at TML facility and through theoretical classes at DIVT.

The youth will be trained by a blend of technical modules and self-developmental courses, mentored and guided by industry leaders. After the periodic assessment and on successful completion of the program, a certificate will be awarded jointly by DIVT and Tata Motors, with the choice and option to migrate to any other industry after course completion.