Siemens Technical Academy (STA), Mumbai – German Dual VET transforms the lives of youth in India

Technical Training from Germany has always attracted global attention and set many benchmarks in designing and delivering vocational training. Siemens Technical Academy brings the renowned Dual-VET to India through their world-class lighthouse center in Mumbai. This is a major step towards fast-tracking industrial development by promoting skill-based learning and industry-readiness among the youth in the age of Digitalization.

The Academy was started in 2015 to provide work-integrated training to students from underprivileged sections of society. The students need score a minimum of 60% in their 10th standard to qualify for the courses. Currently, courses for Fitters and Electricians are offered at STA. The Academy also has a tie up with Tata STRIVE to implement Dual VET training methodology that mandates 80% practical exposure with industry engagement. The students are engaged as apprentices and they get a stipend which takes care of their daily expenses. At the end of the 2 Year course, they get an NCVT certification at NSQF Level 5.

The students get a chance to apply their learning through innovative projects in 3D Printing, SMART Lighting and Robotics. They also won many awards at the IndiaSkills Competitions by demonstrating the superior quality of German Training. At the end of the course they get placed in Siemens, or their partners or they choose to apply elsewhere.

It is amazing to see the transformation of the students at various stages of the course. Right from their communication skills to their presentation and handwriting, they experience many positive changes that give them an edge over others at workplace.

Ingenuity is integral to Siemens approach to training

The students who get selected to the courses are indeed lucky, since their future is secured not only with rich practical learning but also by becoming the ambassadors of high-quality vocational training in India. Besides post-training placements, the students are exposed to various aspects of earn-while-you-learn apprentice scheme that puts them through rigorous hands-on training and creates opportunities for discovering their talent and nurturing the young minds. This provides ample space to utilize their creative and innovative potential.

For instance, 3D Printing, Mould Making and Cold Casting is one of the popular subjects and we get to see a 3D printed bust of Mr. Werner Von Siemens proudly displayed or SMART projects that produced working models by reusing scrap and junk. The Mechanical students prepared the drawings, procured the materials and filled up the Bill of Materials to complete the project under the guidance of a mentor. The result was incredible ! A Stair Climbing Trolley, A Scissor Lift, A Hot Vessel lifting fixture for the kitchen and a Floor-cleaning machine – the students are immersed into finding solutions to problems by applying their learning. The electrical students came up with innovative solutions for Smart Lighting and Robotics.

Highlights of the Siemens Technical Academy (STA), Mumbai:

• STA Mumbai is the first training setup in India that follows the globally-benchmarked German Dual Education and Training.
• 100-plus students hail from economically-disadvantaged families who aspire to become engineers and also support their parents financially.
• The graduation is recognized not only by Siemens, but also by Tata Group, India’s largest multinational conglomerate, and also in accordance to government syllabus and thereby officially certified.
• STA model has been replicated and introduced at ITIs spreading our vision all over the country to bring a cultural revolution in education

There many unique features of STA that make it a lighthouse training center. This includes:

• Curriculum and methodology is globally proven and is integrated with technology of the future by following pedagogic principles of project-based immersive learning.
• The modularity of the curriculum ensure seamless integration of theory and practice with 80% focus on hand-on learning
• Emphasis on problem-solving and interpersonal skills initiates the students into lifelong learning
• Since the youth are from diverse economic background, the training approach is sensitive sociocultural elements
• Industry commitment is assured since they are keen on investing in future ready workforce and restore the dignity of skills
• Digitally aided classrooms and instructors and mentors who are highly skilled and motivated guide and supervise the students
• Workshop equipment exposes the students to real work scenario and prepares them for the world of work with zero tolerance to defects, cost efficiency and resource management
• Dual VET certification is of high repute and attracts higher remuneration, besides being recognized by industries
• Options to build a long-term career through many paths that can lead to employment or entrepreneurship

One of the ways to make vocational training aspirational is to continuously improve the quality and outcomes in a digitalized economy. While these are the basic tenets on which STA is built, the next milestone in the journey is to extend the German Dual VET to the ITIs. Siemens has already taken in lead in this direction by taking up ITI improvement projects in Delhi and Punjab.

For any updates on this course and other information, please contact them through this  number: 18002091800 between 8am- 8pm or contact them on Facebook