Bajaj Auto, a leading automobile major, has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sastra Deemed University. The collaboration aims to establish a Bajaj Engineering Skill Training (BEST) center, focusing on training engineering and diploma graduates, as well as final year students, in emerging workplace skills.
The Automotive Skill Development Council (ASDC) has projected a demand for 3.35 million skilled professionals in the manufacturing industry by 2026. Recognizing the importance of addressing this demand, Bajaj Auto, as a critical stakeholder, plans to set up 10 BEST centers across India. The objective is to equip aspiring professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge required in the rapidly evolving automotive sector.
G Sudhakar, the Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Bajaj Auto, highlighted the industry’s demand for a substantial trained workforce. Additionally, the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC) has estimated the need for a skilled workforce in the automotive sector. Against this backdrop, Bajaj Auto’s initiative to establish the BEST centers is expected to play a vital role in bridging the skill gap.
The collaboration’s first center has already been established at Sastra, making it the third center in the series. It will house more than 160 advanced training facilities, sourced from 20 renowned vendors, including imported equipment. The training facility will focus on four emerging areas: mechatronics, sensors and control, robotics and automation, and industry 4.0 and advanced manufacturing.
The primary objective of each BEST center is to train a minimum of 500 students, ultimately producing 25,000 trained graduates over the next five years. By imparting practical knowledge and fostering industry-relevant skills, Bajaj Auto aims to contribute to the development of a competent workforce that can drive innovation and meet the evolving demands of the automotive sector.
With this collaborative effort, Bajaj Auto and Sastra Deemed University are poised to make a significant impact on the education and training landscape of the automotive industry.
