As India accelerates towards a 30% EV market share by 2030, the industry’s need for skilled professionals is soaring, promising around 5 million jobs. Companies like Tata Motors and Tata Technologies are spearheading initiatives to equip their workforce with next-gen auto tech skills. From in-house training to partnerships with academic institutions, these efforts focus on creating a robust pipeline of talent equipped for the EV revolution, ensuring the workforce is future-ready in this dynamic shift towards sustainable mobility.
As India’s electric vehicle (EV) industry gains momentum, the need for specialized skills in this sector is becoming increasingly critical, especially with the government aiming for electric vehicles to hold a 30% market share by 2030. As the world’s third-largest auto market transitions to EVs, skill development and enhancement are becoming essential for job creation, spanning a range of services, including vehicle production and EV charging infrastructure. According to NITI Aayog, the expansion of the Indian EV industry is expected to generate around 5 million direct and indirect jobs by the end of the next decade.
Sitaram Kandi, Chief Human Resources Officer at Tata Motors, points out the unique skill demands of EV technology, such as high-density batteries, advanced software integration, and complex electrical components. He elaborates on Tata Motors’ approach to skill development, which involves a three-stage capability-building roadmap: awareness, specialist, and expert. This plan caters to a broad spectrum of employees, from entry-level engineers to executive leaders, as the industry shifts towards zero-emission mobility. Kandi underscores the importance of equipping 50 per cent of its workforce with advanced auto tech skills over the next five years.
Tata Motors has implemented initiatives like in-house training and partnerships with academic institutions to offer certification programs in CESS technologies. They’ve also launched a “Future of Workplace” strategy to upskill their workforce in Mechatronics (Industry 4.0), Auto Electronics, and Vehicle Communications. Further collaboration with leading institutes aims to recruit talent with MTech and PhD qualifications to mitigate potential workforce shortages. Their “Learn and Earn” full-time apprenticeship program provides classroom and practical EV technology training, aiming to keep technicians at the forefront of this electrifying field. Already, 20 per cent of their workforce possesses essential future-ready capabilities.
Tata Technologies is also prioritizing EV-focused skill development. They offer several engineering programs, including the Ready Engineer Program and the Empower via Education program. These programs provide scholarships to female engineers from lower-income backgrounds for various levels of education, promoting diversity and inclusion in the engineering field.
Pawan Bhageria, President – Global HR, IT, Admin and Education at Tata Technologies, emphasizes their commitment to workforce upskilling through various educational offerings. Their proprietary iGET IT platform offers specialized courses to keep employees and partners ahead in the EV revolution, with courses like EV mobility infrastructure, Battery Management Systems, Vehicle Powertrain Design, Charging Infrastructure and Smart Grid Integration being top-rated.
Another company active in the EV field is Raptee, which focuses on battery management systems through apprenticeship programs and EV servicing and cell chemistry for practical experience, according to CEO and Co-founder Dinesh Arjun. They have also partnered with the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC) to create specialized EV curriculums and certification programs, implementing in-house training and continuous learning initiatives.
The emphasis on cross-functional and multidisciplinary training in mechanical, electrical engineering, and software development is critical. Collaborations between industry and government are enhancing skill development and shaping supportive policies.
Moreover, the educational sector is preparing students for opportunities in the EV field. Ramesh Alluri, CEO of Teamlease Degree Apprenticeship, discusses their collaborations with the Electronics Sector Skills Council (SSC) and the Power Sector Skills Council (SSC). These partnerships focus on developing deep expertise in essential electrical components for EVs, including comprehensive training in the design, setup, management, and maintenance of EV charging stations to meet the sector’s rapid growth demands.
