Toyota Partners with Maharashtra to Set Up 45 Advanced Auto Training Labs

Toyota Kirloskar Motor has struck a landmark pact with Maharashtra’s Directorate of Vocational Education and Training to launch 45 state‑run industrial training institutes (ITIs) with state‑of‑the‑art automotive labs, a move set to equip nearly 8,000 students over the next five years. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in a ceremony at Mantralaya on Tuesday, marks the largest single expansion of Toyota automotive training labs in the country.

Background

The automotive sector in India is projected to grow at a CAGR of 17% between 2023 and 2030, with electric vehicle (EV) adoption and digital service platforms driving an acute demand for skilled technicians. Maharashtra, the nation’s manufacturing powerhouse, has lagged in translating this demand into industry-ready talent, with a documented skills gap of 12.7% in the light motor vehicle (LMV) technician niche. State officials have long promised “skills for all,” but limited funding and outdated infrastructure have stalled progress.

Enter Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), the Indian arm of the global automotive giant, which has previously invested in seven vocational training centers across the country, turning them into high‑capacity, industry‑focused labs.

By partnering with the state’s Directorate of Vocational Education and Training (DVET), the government aims to accelerate skill development and reduce the reliance on foreign technicians while bolstering Maharashtra’s position as a manufacturing hub.

Key Developments

Under the MoU, TKM will set up fully equipped laboratories for the Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) technician programme across 45 ITIs scattered from Aurangabad to Navi Mumbai. Each lab will feature modern diagnostic tools, high‑definition workstations, software simulators, and safety‑first work zones that mirror factory conditions.

• Phase 1 – 13 labs to be operational by March 2026, with the first three to be inaugurated simultaneously.
• Phase 2–4 – progressive rollout of the remaining 32 centres in three additional tranches, targeted for completion by March 2028.
• Dedicated instructor training programmes run by TKM’s technical academicians, ensuring a faculty pool of 150 certified trainers within two years.
• Recruitment of 8,000 students across the 45 ITIs over a five‑year period, with a scholarship scheme for 15% of the cohort.

In the signing ceremony, State Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha declared the partnership as a “pivotal step towards a skill‑driven Maharashtra.” Kavindra Mishra, Director of DVET, added, “Toyota’s technology and our expansive vocational network will together create a robust pipeline of industry‑ready technicians.”

Impact Analysis

For students, the expansion translates into direct access to cutting‑edge training without the prohibitive costs of private institutes. It also opens doors to stable government contracts with public automotive fleets, along with private OEMs that require on‑site technicians.

Employment specialists predict an average of 80% placement within 12 months for graduates of the LMV program, up from the current 52% national average. The labs will also enable students to earn real‑time certifications like “Toyota Certified LMV Technician” (TC-LMV), which is recognized across the industry.

International students—particularly those from ASEAN countries looking to work in India—can benefit from the structured curriculum covering safety regulations, ISO standards, and vehicle diagnostics. The labs’ focus on electric vehicle (EV) powertrains also positions graduates for roles in Nissan, Honda, and Indian‑made EV startups.

Expert Insights & Tips

Skill development experts advise students to:

• Apply early in the skill permit window; admission is competitive and seats fill within 48 hours of opening.
• Engage with the TKM training curriculum on the DVET portal to get a syllabus preview and match it with their career goals.
• Attend the free orientation webinars hosted by TKM each month to learn about latest industry trends.
• Consider dual‑certification by combining the LMV certificate with a developer certification in automotive software (CAD/CAE), which boosts employability in R&D sectors.

“A certificate from a Toyota automotive training lab gives you a brand edge that most competitors lack,” says automotive HR consultant Rajesh Dutta. “The labs not only teach hands‑on skills but also imbue best practices that OEMs look for in their staff.”

Looking Ahead

The partnership is a blueprint for scaling vocational education across India. DVET plans to replicate the model in Karnataka and Telangana by early 2029, with Toyota’s technology sharing platform to be made accessible to partner states through an online portal.

With India’s push for “Skill India 2025,” the initiative is expected to complement the National Skill Development Corporation’s (NSDC) automotive talent initiative, creating a unified network of over 200 labs nationwide.

As EV adoption accelerates, TKM has pledged to introduce a dedicated “EV Diagnostic Lab” phase in 2026, featuring battery management systems and regenerative braking modules—skills that are set to become indispensable in the next decade.

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