Tata Motors Halts Hiring, Ups Skilling

Tata Motors, which saw a "challenging and volatile year" in FY2017, has said that it will not look at hiring new people for its managerial positions for the next two to three years. 

With a total strength of around 45,000 employees, the company had recently witnessed reduction of around 1,500 white-collar or managerial jobs as part of restructuring. 

The company started the exercise to reduce its managerial levels from 14 to 5 that affected 10-12 percent of its 13,000 managers, leading to around 1,500 employees been asked to take a voluntary retirement option while some were moved to the services arm based out in Pune. 

Speaking to Autocar Professional, a company official said, “We have laid down the plan for the next 5 years. During the first 2-3 years we won’t be hiring for any managerial position as we have enough strength to fulfil current and future volumes. The blue collar jobs are not affected. This is in line with the company restructuring, and depending on the results we will take a call (about the future).” 

Even as the restructuring takes place in Tata Motors, the company has received an “HR innovation of the year” award for its contribution towards skill development, in the automobile sector at the Asia Pacific Excellence Awards 2016. The company has associated with over 131 ITIs across 19 states, to develop skilled and highly competent manpower.In the next three years, the company aims to train 40,000 people under its skill training programs. 

Commenting on the award, Gajendra Chandel, Chief HR Officer, Tata Motors said, "In line with the government’s aggressive plans under the Skill India Mission, we at Tata Motors are constantly increasing our efforts on skill development programs. Our focus is to drive skilling of young boys and girls in the automotive domain and enhance their employability within India and other countries."