Der Mangel an qualifizierten Arbeitskräften im verarbeitenden Gewerbe in Indien ist weithin bekannt. Die beste Lösung des Problems ist die Einführung eigener Trainingsprogramme, die für den konkreten Bedarf der Industrie qualifizieren. Daher hat die Volkswagen Akademie in Indien ein Ausbildungsprogramm in den Bereichen Mechanik, Elektronik und Informatik gestartet.
Volkswagen's mechatronics apprenticeship programme
Volkswagen Academy has started an intensive apprenticeship training programme
in mechanics, electronics and informatics. Gauri Rane finds out more about the
mechatronics programme.
Lack of skilled workforce in the
manufacturing sectors is a well known fact. For the industry probably the best
way to tackle the skill gap is to introduce training programmes/modules that
make job industry ready.
"The idea behind introducing the
Mechatronics Apprenticeship Programme (MAP) was to create a workforce with the
right skill set; those who have hands on experience even before they start
working at the plant," says Vijayan KT, Head of Volkswagen Academy at
Pune.
The MAP is based on the German Dual Apprenticeship system
which focuses on creating skilled workforce for the manufacturing industry.
According to Vijayan the auto major aims at cultivating and nurturing talent,
which is necessary to drive their production facility at Chakan near Pune.
"This is achieved through a combination of theoretical and
practical course module to be taught over a period of three and half years," he
explains. The programme covers the areas of mechanical, electronics and
informatics, thus providing the apprentices a thorough know-how of various
functions of the manufacturing industry.
Candidates who have
cleared class X in maths and science are eligible to apply for MAP. The
applicants have to appear for a written test which assesses their logical and
aptitude skills. The shortlisted candidates have to clear an interview to make
it to the top 16, who then get admitted to the programme. "We received over 400
applications when we launched this programme for the first time a few months
ago," informs Vijayan indicating the popularity of the skill development
programme and the candidates' need for practical training.
During
the first two years, the apprentices attend classroom lectures. There is a
balanced split between theoretical and practical lessons. "The apprentices start
off with basic standard schooling that carry 70 per cent of marks and learn
robotics by the end of the course. There is also a special focus on
interpersonal and soft skills throughout," says Vijayan explaining the course
module.
Trainers from the Academy, who have received training in
Germany, teach the apprentices. "They follow the same modules and training
processes as followed at any of our other Volkswagen Academies around the
world," says Vijayan, adding that trainers from Germany also conduct sessions
and observe the in-house trainers and develop them further.
The
16 apprentices who recently completed the programme have been placed into
various departments and functions like Body Shop, Maintenance, Pilot Hall,
Assembly, Strategic Planning and Engine Assembly to name a few, as per their
skills and expertise.
Anshuman Shrivastava, one of the
apprentices from the first batch says, "The good part about MAP is that mentors
teach difficult theories in an easy way which develops a strong knowledge base.
Exposure to various functions inside the plant to understand the Volkswagen
production systems is at the core of the system, thus helping us gain technical
skills in practical scenario." Currently, Shrivastava is placed in Body Shop and
works with the Electrical Planning team that includes E-plan software, PLC,
Robotics, Drive Systems and Automation.