The Directorate General of Training (DGT) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has signed a Flexible Memorandum of Understanding (Flexi-MoU) with Bajaj Auto Ltd. to provide industry-integrated training in advanced automotive manufacturing for Indian youth. Under the agreement signed on March 6, Bajaj Auto will function as an Industry Training Partner (ITP) and deliver National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF)-aligned training programmes at its manufacturing facilities in Maharashtra and Uttarakhand. The company has proposed an intake of 1,000 trainees in the first year, with training programmes of up to 24 months combining classroom learning and intensive shopfloor exposure using advanced manufacturing systems.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary welcomed the collaboration, stating that linking training with real production environments and modern technologies will help youth gain practical experience and become job-ready. The signing ceremony was attended by MSDE Secretary Debashree Mukherjee, DGT Director General Dilip Kumar, Deputy Director General Sunil Kumar Gupta and other officials. Bajaj Auto was represented by Chief HR Officer Ravi Kyran Ramasamy and company representatives. Industry Training Partners must ensure at least 50 per cent placement of successful trainees. Bajaj Auto already allocates nearly 70–80 per cent of its CSR spending to skilling initiatives and reaches over 90,000 students annually through programmes such as BEST, Bajaj Manufacturing Systems and Bajaj STEP.
The MoU will remain valid for ten years, extendable based on performance in enrolment, learning outcomes and placements. In Guwahati, the initiative is expected to boost interest in technical and manufacturing skills among youth in Northeast India. With the region witnessing growing demand for skilled technicians in automobile servicing, logistics and manufacturing-linked sectors, such industry-driven training models could help bridge skill gaps and improve employment prospects. Training exposure to advanced manufacturing practices may also encourage youth from Guwahati and nearby regions to pursue careers in the automotive ecosystem, strengthening the broader workforce pipeline for India’s expanding manufacturing sector.