New Delhi: Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Maharashtra to strengthen the skilling ecosystem across Industrial Training Institutes in the state. The collaboration aims to build a structured and scalable model that links industrial growth with skill-based development, supporting the automotive sector’s evolving workforce needs.

The initiative will be rolled out in phases. The first phase, covering 2025 to 2026, will focus on 16 ITIs in the Marathwada and Nagpur divisions. The second phase, from 2026 to 2028, will extend to Amravati and Nashik, followed by the third phase between 2029 and 2030, which will include institutes in the Mumbai and Pune divisions. By 2030, the programme is expected to support 45 ITIs across all 36 districts in Maharashtra.

The Maharashtra initiative draws from TKM’s skilling model in Karnataka, where the company has partnered with more than 100 institutes and trained over 20,000 students. The new roadmap includes faculty development through Train-the-Trainer programmes, skill-building workshops at Toyota’s Bidadi facility, and knowledge enhancement sessions. ITIs will also receive industry-relevant tools such as Fundamental Skill Training kits, dexterity modules, and visual learning boards.

The collaboration also focuses on building discipline and workplace readiness among students. Daily routines, ethics classes, and Toyota’s 5S and safety practices will be introduced. Regular audits, feedback mechanisms, and stakeholder involvement will guide long-term implementation.

Speaking about the initiative, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Minister for Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Government of Maharashtra, said, “By bringing Toyota’s global expertise into ITIs, we are empowering the youth of Maharashtra with industry-relevant skills that enhance their technical proficiency, build essential workplace skills and elevate their livelihoods. This initiative will contribute immensely in shaping their careers and Maharashtra’s growth story.”

Vikram Gulati, Country Head and Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Governance, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “At Toyota, we believe that uplifting rural youth with the right skills is the most powerful catalyst for community transformation. When the youth of a nation gain industry-relevant training, confidence and exposure, the entire community progresses with them. Guided by TKM’s philosophy of ‘Grow India, Grow with India’, our focus is not only on building advanced manufacturing capabilities but also nurturing the skilled human capital to drive India’s vision towards Viksit Bharat 2047. This collaboration is finest expression of our community focused initiatives and will contribute towards strengthening Maharashtra’s skilling landscape by creating meaningful opportunities for rural youth.”

The partnership aligns with the Government of India’s Skill India Mission, bringing global manufacturing standards into ITIs and helping prepare young people for future industrial roles. 

BI Bureau