The Electric Vehicle market in India is consistently facing challenges in market expansion. Following that The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) recently hosted a workshop in New Delhi, titled "Charging Ahead – Empowering an EV-Ready Workforce in India’s Automobile Sector”, aimed to identify and address the skills gap in India's burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) sector. The event was attended by Shri H. D. Kumaraswamy, the Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel, along with several notable speakers which included government officials, industry leaders, and policymakers.
Launch of the SIAM EV Talent Landscape Report
The workshop commenced with ceremonial lamp lighting, followed by the unveiling of a comprehensive report titled "SIAM EV Talent Landscape in India: Bridging the Skill Gap for 2030," prepared in collaboration with Deloitte. This report, launched by Shri H. D. Kumaraswamy, offers a detailed roadmap for developing the skills required to meet the industry's needs by 2030. It outlines 40 key technical competencies necessary for advancements in areas such as EV batteries, powertrains, regenerative braking, and software hardware integration. The report aims to guide stakeholders in investing in these crucial skill areas.
Importance of a Skilled Workforce
During the inaugural session, Mr. Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director of SIAM, emphasized SIAM's commitment to economic growth, decarbonization, and road safety. He highlighted that SIAM's initiatives are designed to help India achieve its ambitious EV targets while promoting environmental sustainability.
Shri H. D. Kumaraswamy, in his keynote address, stressed the rapid growth expected in India's EV sector. He pointed out that technological advancements necessitate a skilled workforce to meet these targets and underscored the importance of training and education in this sector. He also mentioned the Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme 2024 (EMPS 2024), which aims to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles in India with a funding allocation of INR 500 crore.
Government and Industry Perspectives
Mr. Sudhendu J Sinha, Advisor at NITI Aayog, spoke about the critical role of workforce skilling in transforming India from an EV-adopting nation to a manufacturing hub for electric mobility. Dr. Hanif Qureshi, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Heavy Industries, lauded SIAM's efforts in identifying skill gaps and emphasized the government's commitment to supporting the industry's initiatives.
Mr. Vinod Aggarwal, President of SIAM and MD & CEO of VE Commercial Vehicles, shared his vision of creating a skilled workforce capable of navigating the evolving auto technology landscape. Mr. Shailesh Chandra, Vice President of SIAM and MD of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles highlighted the industry's significant investment of ₹80,000 crore in developing a robust EV ecosystem, which will require 1-3 lakh skilled professionals by 2030.
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Training the EV Workforce
Mr. Sushant Naik, Chairperson of the SIAM Electric Mobility Group, spoke about India's goal of achieving 30% EV penetration by 2030. He pointed out the increasing sales of EVs, with 16 lakh units sold in 2023-24, and emphasized the need for skilled professionals across various domains to maintain this momentum.
The workshop concluded with a session on "Framework for Action - Institutionalizing EV Skill Development," chaired by Mr. Manu Saxena, Co-chair of the SIAM Electric Mobility Group. This session included presentations by experts such as Mr. Arindam Lahiri, CEO of the Automotive Skills Development Council, and Dr. Abhilasha Gaur, CEO of the Electronics Sectors Skills Council of India. They discussed frameworks for EV skill development in India, covering areas like EV technology, battery technology, and charging infrastructure.
About SIAM
The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) is a non-profit organization representing all major vehicle and vehicular engine manufacturers in India. SIAM works towards the sustainable development of the Indian automobile industry, aiming to make India a global destination for automobile design and manufacturing. The organization also focuses on enhancing the competitiveness of the Indian automobile industry, reducing vehicle costs, increasing productivity, and achieving global quality standards.
In summary, The SIAM workshop ended on a high note, fostering a spirit of collaboration between government officials and industry experts. There was a consensus on the need for ongoing dialogue and cooperation among all stakeholders to build a sustainable and skilled workforce for the EV industry. SIAM reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the growth of the EV sector and creating an environment conducive to skill development and innovation.
Note: The information is from a press release sent to us by the manufacturer. Park+ is not responsible for any inconsistencies and inaccuracies in the above data.
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