Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group, distributed the Apprentice Engagement Letters to the inaugural batch of apprentices at Rudrapur Pantnagar, as part, of its skill development and employment opportunities in Uttarakhand, aligned with the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS). 

Saurabh Bahuguna, Minister of Skill Development and Employment, Government of Uttarakhand, and Ganesh Mani, COO, Ashok Leyland were present at the occasion.

Ashok Leyland and the government of Uttarakhand had signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) in July 2023, to boost employability in the state. It outlines the engagement of 1000 apprentices annually for three years, starting from 2023. The initiative is structured to equip apprentices with industry-relevant skills and prepare them for future job opportunities.

Shenu Agarwal, MD and CEO, Ashok Leyland said, "We understand the vital significance of empowering youth through skill development initiatives. By investing in skill development, we drive positive change within their communities."

To date, Ashok Leyland has effectively onboarded over 400 apprentices across diverse disciplines, owing to the cooperative endeavours of the government and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) throughout Uttarakhand.