Volkswagen to now impart training in Pune

Volkswagen Group India (VGI) on Friday launched its first Volkswagen Group Technical Education Programme (VG-TAP) training centre at Marathwada Mitra Mandal’s Polytechnic (MMMP) in Thergaon.

The VG-TAP would be an add-on certificate course for diploma students of automobile engineering at MMMP at an additional fee of Rs2,000. The initial intake will be 40 students, who will be selected on merit basis.

Through the programme, VGI will provide support to MMMP in terms of technical knowledge, faculty training, aggregates, vehicle sub-assemblies and components.

At the launch of the VG-TAP centre, managing director of Volkswagen Group Sales India (VGSI), Maik Stephan, said, “In 2010, around 53,000 cars were sold in India and almost all were produced at the Pune plant. From 2009 to 2010, Volkswagen Group India witnessed a 180% growth rate. We have a network of over 100 dealers across the country. More than 3,000 new recruits are most likely to get a chance to work in our expanding dealer’s network and our initiative is to create employable talent through our VG-TAP.”

Other dignitaries present on the occasion were Piyush Upadhyay (executive director, VGSI), Dietmar Hildebrandt (director group service, VGSI), PR Khatawkar (principal, MMMP), along with faculty members of MMMP.

The Volkswagen Training Academy was started in 2010 at the Chakan plant in Pune, said Upadhyay. “It is our first-ever association with an institute in India. We are looking to tie up with other institutes too. This year, we are starting two more VG-TAP centres with institutes in Bangalore and Chandigarh,” he said.
“Apart from all the workshop equipment, we have also handed over two Volkswagen models — Polo and Jetta — to be used for training students at the VG-TAP workshop in MMMP. Teachers at the institute will be first trained at our academy to impart the best knowledge to students,” said Hildebrandt.

The 44-week programme is certified by Volkswagen with the final exams to be conducted and directed by the Volkswagen Training Academy. “After 32 weeks of in-house training and 12 weeks of internship, the students will get employment opportunities at our various dealerships across India, or join any other organisation,” added Hildebrandt.

The VGSI plans to hold 10 more VG-TAP workshops with institutes across India in the course of this year, looking forward to train over 500 students under the programme, said Upadhyay.