Apollo Tyres Ltd. recently opened its first formal training centre for heavy and light commercial vehicles (CV) in Ujjain city in partnership with B-ABLE, a not-for-profit organisation. The focus of this, and future driver training centres, will be on the dual areas of imparting a complete education to equip young aspirants with all aspects of road and vehicle safety and maintenance; along with promoting a holistic approach to health and well-being.
Apollo decided to take this route in view of the rising need to address employability and skill development of young people. The focus on safety and health stems from the fact that India has the second highest CV accident rate in the world, because drivers push themselves to spend long hours on the road, neglecting basic rest and health needs.
The Ujjain centre will train 200 drivers every year. To qualify for a certificate, each individual will have to undergo a 45-day training module, which includes complete driving and road management, safe driving, fuel conservation, repairs and maintenance, tyre care and life, trouble-shooting and first aid. Individuals will also have to complete a minimum of 20 hours of practical on-road driving under varying conditions with an instructor.
Inaugurating the centre, Mr. Rajesh Dahiya, Group Head, Sales and Marketing, Apollo Tyres Ltd., said: “Our aim in setting up these centres is two-pronged. First to generate employment and increase road safety. And second, to create a new crop of CV drivers who are aware and know how to take care of their own health and that of their vehicles. Initiatives like this will go a long way in promoting profitability in the CV sector, given that there is a dearth of trained drivers and fuel and tyres are the two biggest costs the sector is faced with.”
Commented Mr. Sushil Ramola, Chief Executive Officer and MD, B-ABLE: “The association with Apollo Tyres adds greater value to what we are already doing at B-ABLE in providing sustainable and market-led skill development programmes. Being a leader in the Indian CV segment, they have a high exposure and knowledge of the segment, behaviour of people and their needs. They also bring in valuable expertise on tyre care and maintenance.”
The driver training institutes are being undertaken by Apollo Tyres Foundation, which already runs ‘Project U’, a skill upgradation and job placement programme for youth in the vicinity of the company’s manufacturing facilities.