After recording 100% placement for its first batch, Maruti Suzuki’s Japan-India Institute for Manufacturing (JIM) at Ganpat University in Mehsana, Gujarat welcomed its second batch of 362 students. JIM is a part of a joint initiative between the Government of Japan and Government of India to create a pool of 30000 skilled manpower for manufacturing industry in India.
Welcoming the second batch, A. K. Tomer, Executive Director, Corporate Planning, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said “Our aim at JIM is to reduce the skill gap and empower students with skills relevant to the automobile industry requirement. Besides the core technical skills, JIM grooms students in Japanese Manufacturing Practices and Processes that are important to succeed at the workplace. Also, the mini-vehicle assembly line, well-equipped workshops give them an experience of working on a real shop-floor.”
Model ITI
Set up as a model ITI, JIM, Mehsana offers courses in eight trades related to automobile manufacturing, maintenance and services. The courses include Mechanic Motor Vehicle, Mechanic Auto Body Painting, Mechanic Auto Body Repair, Welder, Fitter, Electrician, Mechanic Diesel Engine & Driver Cum Mechanic. Some other features of the institute include a safety lab, virtual welding simulators and spot welding guns. This familiarizes the students with all the tools they need to work with when on an actual industry shop floor.
Japanese soft skills training
In addition to 38 hours of training meted out towards the National Council of Vocational Training (NCVT) certified curriculum, JIM dedicates 10 hours/week to train students in Japanese shop floor practices, soft skills, interview skills, English language and safety. Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnerships (AOTS), Japan, along with Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan has developed the soft skills curriculum for JIM.
