Stepping up its Skill Development efforts under Corporate Social Responsibility, Maruti Suzuki India, recently inaugurated a Center of Excellence (CoE) at ITI, Becharaji in Gujarat. Set up in collaboration with the Government of Gujarat, the CoE, will be used to train and improve the level of technical education of ITI students in the state and effectively contribute to the 'Skill India' initiative.

Speaking on the occasion, Kenichi Ayukawa, MD & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “Having right skills is the key to employability. The automobile industry is one of the largest employment generating sector. It is important students across the ITIs are imparted with the right skills and attitude to earn and sustain employment in the sector. The Center of Excellence will help over 7,000 students from various trades to enhance their skill sets. I urge the students to make the most of this facility for a stronger industry connect and a successful career.”

The CoE at ITI Becharaji, spread over 11,800 sq. ft. is equipped with Maruti Suzuki Basic Training lab, Safety Simulation hop, Finishing schools for Wield shop, Paint shop and Assembly shop along with six classrooms. The CoE has a capacity to train 150 trainees per week. Maruti Suzuki has built the infrastructure and the workshop with the latest equipment and training tools. Maruti Suzuki also revealed that it has invested around Rs 4 crore to set up the facility and will continue to maintain and run it. The CoE will cater to students of Becharaji ITI as well as students from other ITIs across Gujarat. The facility will also be used to train shop floor employees from automobile and auto component makers in the state.

The Mehsana region in Gujarat has seen intense activity in the automobile sector in recent years, especially after the setting up of the Suzuki Motor Gujarat plant at nearby Hansalpur. Several automobile component makers, including Maruti Suzuki vendors, have set up their manufacturing facilities in the region, increasing employment opportunities for youth with relevant skills.

Also read: Maruti Suzuki’s training institute in Mehsana gets ISO certification