When Ujjwal Saini joined an apprenticeship program under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), he had some knowledge based on books and classroom instructions, but very little understanding of how the automobile industry actually functioned in the real world.
“A student usually learns only through books,” he says, “but with apprenticeship, he learns the technical, environmental, and market aspects too.” Today, Ujjwal is part of India’s growing automotive talent pool, trained not just in how a vehicle runs but also in how the entire ecosystem is changing quickly.
India’s automotive sector is at a turning point. As the country pushes forward with the transition to electrification, automation, and software-led systems, the focus is no longer just on manufacturing electric vehicles (EVs) but also on preparing the skilled workforce needed to run and service them.
The rise of EVs has triggered demand for new kinds of skills, such as on battery management systems (BMS), power electronics, thermal control, and digital diagnostics, shifting the job landscape. These aren’t upgrades to existing automotive roles; they are entirely new professions.
These skilling programs offer a chance to students who haven’t followed the traditional path of school to college. Take Renu from Delhi for instance, a trainee at Tata Motors’ Electric Technician Service Course.
Unable to enroll in an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) after high school, she opted for an apprenticeship with a monthly stipend instead. “I have driven both manual and electric four-wheelers. I find EV interesting and want to understand the technology in greater depth,” she said.
OEMs such as Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, and Mahindra run skill training programs as part of their CSR activities or to hire trained workers. Their dealerships also help by giving students practical training, guidance, and real work experience.
To make these programs better and more reliable, they work with national bodies like National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC), which help certify the training and make sure the standards are the same everywhere.
According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), India will need 100,000 to 200,000 skilled professionals by 2030 to reach its 30% EV adoption target.
The Economic Survey 2024–25 estimates that India will need to create 78.5 lakh new non-farm jobs annually till 2030, ensure full literacy, and build quality education and infrastructure at scale.
The scale of transformation is vast. According to ASDC’s Skill Gap Study, by 2026, jobs in the auto sector are expected to reach 4.5 crore. Of the 3.5 crore new jobs expected from 2019 to 2026, a significant share will come from EVs, battery production, and supporting services.Another 2 crore roles will open due to regular attrition and replacement needs.
For many like Renu, learning EV technology at no cost is not just an opportunity but a way to contribute to the country’s transition toward cleaner mobility. “I think this is a good starting point that India is aiming to become 30% EV by 2030,” says Arindam Lahiri, CEO of ASDC.
From the electrification of urban buses to last-mile delivery vehicles going electric, he adds, “Large logistics providers who are working with e-commerce and other logistics initiatives, quick commerce, e-commerce, are moving into adoption of electric vehicles. To my mind, I think this number seems very achievable and very doable.”
ASDC, under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, has built training programs for every stage of the workforce. Its ecosystem spans ITIs, CSR-backed centers, private institutes, and now increasingly, digital learning platforms offering blended courses that combine theory with real-world exposure.
About 70% of the training is hands-on, using motors, battery packs, and diagnostic tools, while 30% is delivered through classroom and simulator-led modules.
“Preparing India’s youth for these evolving roles is not just an employment strategy, it is a national priority. Their education, their skills, their competencies are absolutely critical,” Lahiri says. “If a country has youngsters who are not properly skilled, not properly educated, do not have the necessary competence, do not have the necessary aspirations, I think it’s very difficult for that country to move forward.”
The skilling structure at ASDC rests on three core elements: training new entrants, helping current employees learn EV-relevant skills, and enabling career switchers to move into areas like EV battery assembly, software-based diagnostics, and system integration.
Programs are aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), and certification through ASDC is widely accepted across OEMs and Tier-1 companies.
Programs for EV skilling come with fundamental EV modules, followed by hands-on practice with tools and components, digital diagnostics training, which culminates in certification and job placement support. Many graduates find opportunities through job fairs and placement drives, as employers look for job-ready, safety-trained candidates.
Overcoming Challenges in the Skilling Ecosystem
But even as demand rises, India’s technical education system is still catching up. Lahiri points out a critical gap: “There’s very little interdisciplinary exposure,” he says. “The lack of curriculum flexibility means students are often taught conventional systems without exposure to alternative technologies, materials, or designs.”
This rigid academic setup, according to Lahiri, leads to another common misunderstanding: the assumption that good academic performance guarantees career success.
“When you are in academics, if you perform very well, don’t assume that you will do very well in your professional career as it may not happen. And at the same time, if you are not very good in academics, you should not start thinking that you cannot have a good professional career.”
He also urges young professionals to prepare not just for EVs but for a broader range of vehicle energy systems. “Don’t consider yourself to be an electric vehicle skilled person. Consider yourself to be an alternate form of vehicle energy person,” he says. “There could be many alternate forms of vehicles in your own lifetime, because there are constant innovations happening, constant technology disruptions happening.”
The EV movement in India goes far beyond the creation of cleaner, more sustainable machines—it’s about shaping an entirely new kind of workforce. From apprentices like Renu, who are learning skills on the factory floor, to aspiring entrepreneurs dreaming of launching their own EV ventures, India’s youth are stepping confidently into an innovative ecosystem.
This shift is laying the foundation for a greener, more technologically advanced future. And as Lahiri puts it, “Youngsters play a very critical role…not only as job seekers but also job givers. That itself is transitioning the whole country into a different level.”