Accenture LearnVantage Partners with IIT Madras to Train Professionals for Software-Defined Vehicles

Accenture and the Centre of Excellence in Advanced Automotive Research at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras announced a partnership today to provide training programs for software-defined vehicle development. The initiative will operate through Accenture's LearnVantage Software-Defined Vehicle Academy.

The programs target automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers and Global Capability Centers seeking to develop talent for building software-defined vehicles. The curriculum addresses the growing demand for professionals skilled in automated driving technology, advanced driver assistance systems, electrical architecture, connectivity, and infotainment systems.

The training combines domain-specific modules, interactive learning environments, and expert coaching through self-paced and instructor-led sessions. Course content covers Internet of Things applications, embedded systems, vehicle safety, communication protocols, cybersecurity, edge computing, cloud virtualization, and industry standards including AUTOSAR and ASPICE.

Accenture Research projects the software-defined digital services market will reach $3.5 trillion and represent 40 percent of global automotive industry revenues by 2040. This forecast prompted Accenture LearnVantage to establish the SDV Academy to address skills gaps in the sector.

Kishore Durg, global lead of Accenture LearnVantage, said the automotive industry requires digital-native talent skilled in artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, and safety systems as vehicles become software-defined machines. The collaboration aims to upskill and reskill talent at scale for automotive manufacturers and technology centers.

The Centre of Excellence in Advanced Automotive Research focuses on bridging gaps between academic research and commercial automotive solutions. The center provides technology development, talent training, and research facilities for the automotive industry.

Professor Krishnan Balasubramanian, who leads CAAR at IIT Madras, described the partnership as a model that benefits all parties while enabling workforce development in emerging areas like software-defined vehicles. Thiruppathy Srinivasan, CAAR's Chief Executive Officer, noted that the automotive industry's adoption of electrification, connectivity, and smart technologies creates demand for both new digital skills and larger pools of trained professionals.

Accenture and IIT Madras maintain an existing Center of Excellence that conducts research in autonomous robotics systems, industrial Internet of Things, digital twin systems, and automotive technologies. TalentSprint, now part of Accenture LearnVantage, already offers data science and machine learning certification programs with IIT Madras.

The collaboration addresses workforce development needs as the automotive industry transitions from traditional mechanical systems to software-driven platforms that integrate digital services, connectivity, and automated functions.