By R. Anantha Krishnan
The automotive sector has been at the forefront of the manufacturing industry for years. An article in Forbes India references the Automotive Mission Plan 2016–26 that envisions developing India as one of the top three automotive manufacturing hubs in the world (Indian automotive industry: The road ahead, Forbes India, 20 Oct 2015). The ‘Make in India’ initiative is expected to boost investments in the automotive sector as well. This expectation of continued growth in the sector brings with it expectations of continued rise in jobs opportunities as well. Leading industry experts predict that the automotive sector will require around 15 million skilled manpower in the next 10-odd years.
This is good news for the economy; however, the industry needs to be prepared to move to the next level. A major challenge here is the huge gap in the availability of skilled manpower.
Challenges Ahead
The industry will need workforce with adequate skills and practical knowledge of vehicle engineering, manufacturing, operations and servicing. But the employability skills of students coming out of our education system are not in line with the requirements.
The existing manpower will need to be re-trained to work on changing requirements, processes and technology. Attrition is another big challenge.
Conducting face-to-face classroom training and practical sessions on factory floors for thousands of workers is extremely expensive and time-consuming. Handling large volumes of training programs for employees spread across multiple locations, and with divergent job profiles, is a challenge most companies are unable to cope with.
Digital Learning is the Solution
Learning experiences should cater to the subject, needs of the learner group and learners’ profile. They should also capture learners’ attention and keep them engaged. And,‘one size, one style’ definitely does not fit all. Digital learning can do the trick. Appropriate use of audios, videos, 3D models, animations and interactive simulations that suit the learner and learning needs enhances learner engagement and understanding,leading to effective transference of knowledge in the workplace. This also indirectly influences employee retention. Clients of Emantras have reported a 30 to 50 percent improvement in employee performance after taking up the digital learning programs. Emantras won the Brandon Hall award in recognition of the impact one of its learning modules would make on employees of a world-renowned automotive company.
Apart from enhancing the impact of learning, technology also helps solve logistics related to learning. Digital learning modules can be delivered through multiple channels (Online, LMS, CD/DVD/USB, Widgets, Mobile Platforms or Standalone Kiosks). As an example, by selecting the right delivery channel, Emantras helped a leading global manufacturer increase the reach of their learning programs while bringing down associated costs by 33 percent compared to the conventional methods that were in use.
Emantras, a division of GP Strategies Corporation, has successfully empowered the training initiatives of automotive partners worldwide for more than a decade by providing digital learning solutions. Working in close collaboration with subject matter experts from the industry, Emantras has built over 800 digital programs for technical and non-technical skills development. These digital learning modules have successfully trained 100,000 plus employees from top 20 automotive companies in India and their dealer networks.
Training is an imperative need of the industry, but time, cost and resource constraints have inhibited effective implementation of such initiatives. Adopting digital learning solutions and partnering with digital learning solution providers who have the experience and expertise in handling automotive learning would be the right path to take for organizations having a large workforce.
“Emantras has fine expertise in making e-manuals and is a market leader. Their work done for Eicher E-483 engine comprising engine construction details, working principle, scientific way of maintenance, repair & overhauling is an excellent presentation, complete with wonderful illustrations, superb voice over and high calibre content. Overall it is an excellent work. This particular electronic shop manual is rated as one of the best in international automotive industry.”
– A. Nandakumar, General Manager After Market, Eicher Trucks and Buses