~ The Sandvik Coromant School of Manufacturing Excellence is training the next generation of technical experts ~
The Global Skills Gap Report by e-learning company Udemy found 92 per cent of employees in India to believe there is a skills gap. Educating the next generation of engineers through practical training will equip them for future work. Here Kiran Acharya managing director of Sandvik Asia Private Limited, part of the Sandvik Group, explains how the Sandvik Group is providing young people in India with a springboard for a career in manufacturing, and access to some of the industry’s most cutting-edge technologies.
The younger generation of India holds significant potential to close the skills gap, once they are trained with the technical knowledge needed for modern jobs. India has entered a ‘golden period’ that’s set to last until 2040 due to a shift in the population’s age structure. Currently, the working-age population is larger than non-working, with 35 per cent of the population under the age of 19.
In contrast to many other parts of the world that are facing the challenges of an aging population, India has a window of great opportunity to leverage the younger workforce for economic growth and development. Therefore, it’s vital that the next generation is equipped with the best skills to maximise their success in the job market.
The School of Manufacturing Excellence
In 2018, Sandvik Coromant partnered with the Indian Government to establish the Sandvik Coromant School of Manufacturing Excellence to train the youth of India from underprivileged and marginalized backgrounds. Based at the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in Pune, the school educates students on advanced metal cutting techniques and provides them with the opportunity to develop their employability.
The school’s machine lab is fitted with the latest metal cutting tools and equipment, such as high tech computer numerical control (CNC) milling and tooling machines. Students gain practical skills from the programme that help bridge the discrepancies between the traditional academic curriculum and the requirements of industry. As a company with a large presence in India, the school allows Sandvik Coromant and its employees to share expertise and give back to the local community.
There are currently over 300 students enrolled in the course, and in January 2021, 202 graduates were awarded certificates in metal cutting technology at a convocation ceremony. After completing training, the school supports students to secure placements in industry to assist them onto the career ladder.
India’s demographic dividend provides a unique opportunity to transform its workforce to meet the demands of modern industry. The Sandvik Coromant School of Manufacturing Excellence is equipping young people with the practical skills and technical knowledge needed to bridge the skills gap and curate a highly capable generation of technical experts.
