Wabco India has signed MOUs with leading universities and management institutes to provide various management development Programs, B.Tech programs, student orientation programs and short term courses for our employees and trainees. "In addition, we have established Centers of Excellence in partnership with Veltech University, Chennai and Chennai Institute of Technology. These facilities will impart knowledge and training, in current and advanced braking systems of commercial vehicles to the engineering students of the universities, mechanics and engineers of automotive industry and road transport authorities. The creation of such facilities will stimulate interest in students, research scholars and faculty members in their fields of research to enhance road safety," explains Kaniappan.

Volkwagen India has the Mechatronics Apprenticeship Programme that fresh out of school (10th standard) students and takes them through the German Dual Apprenticeship style programme that focuses on theoretical and practical learning. "They start with the basics such as metal filing and go on to learn robotics and automation by the end of the course," notes Dr. Lauermann.

In this effort of skilling India industry association such as IMTMA is also at the forefront. Highlighting the initiatives of the association, Anbu mentions "Recently, IMTMA signed MoUs with different institutions to offer internship programmes for students who are still on board. The programme helps them to develop industry skill sets even before they finish their studies." He further adds that IMTMA-Institution Innovation Collaboration" (III-C). III-C has provided a platform for both industries and academia to collaborate and work together to bring out the best innovative products withthe help of research talent pool available in institutions.

With these initiatives, India is sure to bridge this "skills" gap in the years to come.

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