Maruti Suzuki and Gujarat Government’s Driving Initiative Helps Benefit 10000 Tribal Youths

Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL), the largest passenger vehicle maker in India, has announced their achievement of training 10,000 tribal youths in professional driving. The training took place at the ‘All Gujarat Institute of Driving, Technical Training and Research' (AGIDTTR) in Waghodia, Gujarat.  The facility is set up under the Gujarat Government’s Vanbandhu Welfare Scheme and specifically targets tribal students who are based in the eastern belt and work on farms and construction sites.

This public-private partnership between the Ministry of Tribal Development (Gujarat) and Maruti was set up back in 2009. It is a 45-day residential training program in which the youth are taught driving skills and soft skills such as basic English speaking, table manners, workplace etiquette, yoga, crafts, map reading and entrepreneurship.

AGIDTTR is spread across 20 acres and includes a driving track, classrooms and lab infrastructure along with four simulators and 18 vehicles for driving training. Thanks to this facility, it has witnessed an impressive placement rate of 73 per cent till date.

Maruti has also introduced a new course for Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV). The training will be performed on the recently launched Super Carry. Here's a list of things that will benefit learners through the new course for LCVs:

- Cargo handling, such as loading and unloading, vehicle placement, weather proofing etc.

- Transportation of cargo which will include route planning & delivery.

- Features of a light commercial vehicle – Super Carry

- Fuel efficiency for transport vehicles.

- Safety precautions in the transportation of cargo.

Speaking on the occasion, R S Kalsi, Executive Director, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “Our objective is to make the students employment ready through driving training and soft skills, and help them get suitable employment. These youth have shown tremendous enthusiasm in improving their quality of life. With support from the state government the institute has witnessed an increase in enrollment as compared to same time last year. We are optimistic on sustaining the momentum and providing the youth with opportunities through more such establishments.”