Paving the way for Industry 4.0: The Tata Technologies – Chhattisgarh Government alliance

• Tata Technologies partners with Chhattisgarh to modernize ITIs.
• Tata Technologies aids Chhattisgarh in Industry 4.0 readiness and rural industrialization.

Tata Technologies recently unveiled a decade-long Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chhattisgarh government. The primary objective is to upgrade 36 state-owned Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) at an estimated INR 1188.36 Crores (US$ 144.53 million). This initiative is an extension of Tata Technologies’ commitment to supporting projects with substantial societal impact and supplements the national development endeavors of the government.

These refurbished ITIs are envisioned to act as skill incubators, enhancing the technical aptitude of students and prospective employers alike. The company is dedicated to fostering a workforce proficient in Industry 4.0 tools and technologies, ready for swift deployment in the industry, asserting that these centers will catalyze economic growth and holistic progression of the state.

The government of Chhattisgarh has initiated numerous skill development programs, aiming to empower its multifaceted workforce and invigorate the state’s manufacturing and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sectors. This includes initiatives such as the Kaushal Vikas Yojana, which trains young people in healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and services, and the Skill-on-Wheels project for remote area training. The government’s Suraji Gaon Yojana aspires to establish Gauthans as agriculture and animal husbandry employment centers.

Tata Technologies and government partnership

Prior to this, Tata Technologies demonstrated a firm commitment to nation-building when it inked an MoA with the Tamil Nadu government in June 2022. This agreement aimed at transforming 71 government ITIs across Tamil Nadu into advanced technology centers with contemporary infrastructure and training facilities, ensuring compliance with Industry 4.0 standards.

The partnership between Tata Technologies and the Chhattisgarh government is expected to bolster the government’s efforts in upskilling the youth with the latest technologies and attracting business investments keen on embracing Industry 4.0 manufacturing practices.

In addition to meeting students’ advanced skill needs, these technology centers will also function as industrial hubs for MSMEs. The company plans to offer courses in manufacturing process control and automation, industrial robotics, mechanical electric vehicle, virtual verification, and advanced manufacturing.

To achieve the upgrades, Tata Technologies is forging collaborations with 20 global industry partners. The revamped ITIs will introduce six new trades and 23 short-term courses to cater to Industry 4.0 demands. At full capacity, these facilities will train over 10,000 students annually, offering upskilling in numerous sectors such as product design & development, additive manufacturing (3D printing), modern automotive maintenance repair, battery electric vehicle training, and many more.

The MoA signing ceremony was graced by the presence of the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Shri Bhupesh Baghel, among other dignitaries from the Chhattisgarh Government and the leadership team of Tata Technologies.

Expressing his views on the partnership, Chief Minister Baghel reaffirmed their resolve to unleash the potential of Chhattisgarh’s youth, thereby stimulating the state’s industrial expansion and economic progress. He believes the strategic collaboration with Tata Technologies will equip the youth with a comprehensive understanding of Industry 4.0 technologies, enhancing their employability and fortifying the state’s industrial landscape with ready-to-serve human capital.

Chief Minister Baghel emphasized the government’s dedication to converting villages into production hubs and cities into business centers. He shared plans to establish 300 Rural Industrial Parks to promote small industries in villages. He urged Tata Technologies to support further development of these parks and urban industrial centers by infusing them with modern industries and state-of-the-art technology.

Empowering the rural workforce

The government’s initiative to transform villages into production hubs is a strategic move that can drive considerable economic and social growth. This strategy involves promoting and encouraging localized production in rural areas, which can spur employment opportunities, enhance income levels, and improve living standards.

Rural Industrial Parks can catalyze rural development. They are planned infrastructures that provide basic amenities such as land, electricity, water, sheds, training, Wi-Fi, and banking linkage to facilitate business startups. These parks are designed to foster small-scale industries, which can absorb a significant portion of the rural workforce, offering them stable employment closer to home.

By offering amenities and infrastructure often only found in urban areas, these parks can attract entrepreneurs and businesses to set up operations in rural areas, creating jobs and boosting the local economy. It can also stimulate ancillary activities like transportation, marketing, and services, creating an industrial ecosystem in the rural context.

The transformation of villages into production hubs and the establishment of Rural Industrial Parks can play a pivotal role in empowering the rural workforce. By providing local employment opportunities, it reduces the need for rural inhabitants to leave their homes in search of work.

Additionally, these initiatives’ training and skill development can equip the rural workforce with the skills required for modern industries, increasing their employability and income potential. In the long term, these initiatives can lead to a reduction in rural poverty, an increase in rural purchasing power, and overall rural economic development.

Synchronizing youth skills with evolving industrial requirements

Reflecting on the collaboration, Warren Harris, CEO & Managing Director of Tata Technologies, commended this significant step towards upskilling young engineers with Industry 4.0 technology. This move aligns with Tata Technologies’ vision of ‘engineering a better world,’ which entails fostering a brighter future for the youth of Chhattisgarh.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Alok Shukla, the Principal Secretary of Technical Education in Chhattisgarh, underscored the aim of the collaboration with Tata Technologies in modernizing ITIs. He explained that the goal is to synchronize the youth’s educational training, wisdom, and competencies with the evolving industrial requirements in Chhattisgarh.

“Equipping them with the latest technologies will bridge the gap between demand and supply of skilled workforce, thereby creating more job opportunities and encouraging the youth to build their careers in the state,” Dr Shukla pointed out. “This will also establish the state as a coveted investment destination for industries looking to embrace Industry 4.0 and smart technologies for their manufacturing processes.”

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