Maruti Suzuki India today scaled up its efforts in skill development with the setting up of new Auto Body Repair (ABR) and Auto Body Paint (ABP) workshops at ITI PUSA, Delhi. Manish Sisodia, deputy chief minister of Delhi inaugurated the two units today. Also present on the occasion were Pankaj Narula, executive director (Service), MSIL, Lokpal, principal, ITI PUSA and other senior members of the government of Delhi.

The Auto Body Repair (ABR) and Auto Body Painting (ABP) facilities are set up at the Automobile Skill Enhancement Center (ASEC) – developed by MSIL – which is spread across 6,000 square feet. Maruti Suzuki has invested Rs 85 lakh in upgrading and setting up the ASEC, ABR and ABP facilities at the institute. Additionally the company will invest around Rs 15 lakh on exclusive trainers and training aides required on an ongoing basis, annually.

Speaking on the occasion, Pankaj Narula, Executive Director (Service), MSIL, said: “Auto body repair and auto body painting are very niche areas. With the specialised training programme and state-of-the-art facilities, we aim to equip the institutes to offer relevant skills to the students. On completion of the course the students are ready for employment, will be able to perform and excel in this specialised area of car service and repair. Also, with the growth in number of vehicles on roads, quality repair and maintenance offers a major employment opportunity. Students can enrol and benefit from these ASECs.”

The model Auto Body Repair (ABR) and Auto Body Painting (ABP) workshops at ITI PUSA will be equipped with latest training tools and equipment to provide practical training. Along with these, Maruti will provide dedicated full-time trainers to assist with the practical training in body repair and painting. The company will also forge partnership with local Maruti Suzuki service workshops and MSIL’s paint vendors to upgrade skills of ITI students and make them job-ready.  

The two specialized courses -- Auto Body Repair (ABR) and Auto Body Painting (ABP) – under car service and repair are being offered for the first time by ITI PUSA in Delhi and are recognised under SCVT. Both the courses are customized and designed by Maruti Suzuki. This initiative is set to cater to the huge demand of skilled manpower in denting and painting workshops. 

The one-year course of ABP and ABR started in August 2015 with a batch of 66 students. These students will graduate in July 2016.