In a significant push to align engineering education with industry demands, the Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC), in collaboration with VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), has successfully trained over 300 students through its innovative Eicher Training Van program. The mobile training initiative, rolled out in July across four prominent technical institutes, is designed to deliver hands-on automotive skilling directly to engineering campuses.
The training sessions took place at Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology (Patiala), Vishwakarma Institute of Information Technology (Kondhwa), MERI College of Engineering and Technology, and ADAMAS University, offering students real-world exposure to advanced automotive systems and diagnostic tools.
The Eicher Training Van—a state-of-the-art mobile unit—serves as a fully equipped classroom on wheels, featuring vehicle components, diagnostic software, and training aids. The initiative blends practical, on-site demonstrations with 13 online learning modules hosted on the ASDC digital platform. Upon successful completion, students receive jointly issued certificates from ASDC and VE Commercial Vehicles, adding industry-recognized value to their academic profiles.
“This initiative is a leap forward in making automotive education more application-oriented,” said Mr. Vinkesh Gulati, Vice President of ASDC. “The overwhelming response from students confirms that direct exposure to live automotive technologies is essential for developing job-ready engineers.”
Mr. Arindam Lahiri, CEO of ASDC, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the initiative. “Our partnership with VECV is a prime example of how the private sector and skill development bodies can transform technical education. The mobile training model enables us to meet students where they are and deliver skills that match evolving industry requirements.”
The program not only enhanced students’ technical competencies but also helped bridge the gap between theoretical classroom learning and practical application. As the automotive sector continues to evolve—with increasing focus on electrification, connectivity, and digital technologies—such initiatives are critical to preparing India’s future workforce.
In the upcoming months, ASDC and VECV intend to broaden the scope of the Eicher Training Van by incorporating additional institutes. By taking industry-grade training directly to campuses, the initiative is playing a vital role in future-proofing India’s engineering talent and fostering a globally competitive, skilled workforce.