Tata Motors' Kaushalya Programme Transforms 23,000 Youth Into Skilled Manufacturing Professionals

Tata Motors is marking World Youth Skills Day by highlighting the success of its Kaushalya Programme, a major industry-backed initiative designed to equip young Indians with the competencies required for careers in modern manufacturing and mobility sectors.

Since its inception in 2021, the programme has enrolled more than 23,000 participants and successfully placed over 5,000 graduates into jobs, achieving a 100% placement rate. Among these placements, more than 50 programme alumni have secured roles internationally, demonstrating the programme's capacity to open doors to global opportunities.

Operating from six locations—Pune, Jamshedpur, Lucknow, Pantnagar, Sanand and Dharwad—Kaushalya offers a fully funded Diploma in Mechatronics through an earn-and-learn framework. The curriculum, developed in consultation with industry practitioners, covers Automobile Engineering, Manufacturing Technology, Electrical & Electronics, Mechatronics, Automation, IoT and Industry 4.0. Participants combine classroom study with practical exposure on the shop floor of Tata Motors' manufacturing plants.

The initiative reflects Tata Motors' commitment to diversity and inclusion. Women represent 21% of programme participants, while 25% come from affirmative action categories, contributing to a more representative talent pool in the automotive sector.

Upon graduation, trainees gain access to employment pathways across Tata Motors' wider network, encompassing dealerships, component suppliers, Tata Group entities, other automotive companies and international employers. Programme alumni now work at organisations including Tata Steel Downstream Products Ltd., Tata Advanced Systems Ltd., Zydus, JSW Greentech, Subros, Spinny and Wipro.

Notably, 50 graduates have joined Jaguar Land Rover's manufacturing operations in Nitra, Slovakia, creating opportunities for Indian youth to build careers on the global stage.

Sitaram Kandi, Chief Human Resources Officer at Tata Motors, emphasised the programme's strategic importance: "India's manufacturing competitiveness and mobility ambitions will be shaped by the quality of its workforce. Through Kaushalya, we are investing in the next generation of skilled professionals by creating opportunities that combine technical education, industry exposure and real-world experience. The programme is helping young people build meaningful careers while strengthening the talent pipeline required for an increasingly advanced and technology-driven automotive industry. The strong placement outcomes achieved by our trainees demonstrate the effectiveness of industry-academia collaboration in creating skills that are relevant, employable and future-ready. We remain committed to expanding the programme's reach and empowering more young people to participate in India's growth story."

Anita Kende Bethekar, a Diploma in Mechatronics trainee now employed by Jaguar Land Rover in Slovakia, exemplifies the transformative impact of the scheme. Hailing from a remote tribal community in Maharashtra, she became the first woman from her village and surrounding region to obtain a passport and establish an international career in automotive manufacturing. "Coming from a remote tribal village in Maharashtra, a global career in the automotive industry once felt beyond reach. Tata Motors' Kaushalya programme equipped me with the skills, exposure and confidence to pursue opportunities I had never imagined. Today, I am proud to be the first girl from my village and neighbouring region to hold a passport and build a career with Jaguar Land Rover in Slovakia. This achievement is not just mine; it is a source of pride for my family, my community and every young girl who dares to dream beyond her circumstances," she reflected.

Similarly, Soham Ravindra Manmode, a Diploma in Automobile Manufacturing Technology trainee placed with Tata Motors Customer Support, credits the programme with enabling upward mobility. Growing up in a financially constrained household in a small town, he described how the initiative allowed him to acquire skills while earning income. "Coming from a financially challenged family in a small town, building a career in the automotive industry once felt like a distant dream. Tata Motors' Kaushalya Programme changed that by enabling me to learn, earn and gain real-world industry experience simultaneously. The skills, confidence and exposure I acquired through the programme helped me build a rewarding career with Tata Motors. Today, I take pride in supporting my family and contributing to India's automotive growth story," he said.

With projections suggesting more than 5,000 trainees will graduate annually, the Kaushalya Programme is establishing a robust talent supply for India's automotive and manufacturing sectors. As the industry transitions towards electrified, networked and software-centric vehicle technologies, Tata Motors underscores its dedication to furnishing young people with capabilities suited to future industry demands, bolstering their employment prospects and supporting India's industrial advancement.