IIS Mumbai and IIS Ahmedabad, managed by Tata Indian Institutes of Skills (IIS), are redefining skill development with a focus on Industry 4.0. These institutes aim to equip students with advanced skills through industry-aligned courses, hands-on training, and emerging technologies. By targeting sectors like manufacturing, automation, electric vehicles, and hospitality and more, IIS is preparing a workforce ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
“The Indian Institutes of Skills (IIS) were established with a strong academic research orientation to create world-class skilling institutes that would inspire the youth of India,” says Ms. Nidhi Goyal, Executive Vice President, Tata Indian Institute of Skills (IIS).
To learn more about the key industry-relevant courses currently offered at IIS, integration of 21st century skills, practical, hands-on training and placement students can expect at IIS, skilling in various sectors such as hospitality, tourism, automation and more, we spoke with Ms. Nidhi Goyal, Executive Vice President, Tata Indian Institute of Skills (IIS).
Here are some of the highlights from the interview. To watch the full video, please visit our YouTube channel.
Q. What are the key objectives and distinctive features of the Indian Institutes of Skills (IIS)?
A. The Indian Institutes of Skills (IIS), located in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Kanpur, were established with a strong academic research orientation. The initiative aimed to create world-class skilling institutes that would inspire the youth of India.
The late Shri Ratan Tata recognized this as a nation-building effort and committed the Tata Group to lead this initiative, resulting in the establishment of the Tata Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) in Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
Tata IIS was formed with a specific mandate to develop these institutes over the next 25 years. Since then, we have refined our focus areas to align with India’s strategic imperative of becoming a global leader in the manufacturing sector. We decided to direct our skilling efforts toward this industry, especially since the government is offering various production-linked incentives.
Establishing high-quality skilling programs requires significant upfront capital investment, which is where we bring the necessary expertise to the table. Our focus areas include advanced manufacturing, covering automation, robotics, CNC, and 3D printing. We’re also targeting the rapidly growing electric vehicle (EV) sector and the electronics industry. Additionally, we are focusing on hospitality and tourism, which have seen exponential growth in demand for skilled workers post-COVID.
Q. How do Industry 4.0 topics fit into the vision of elevating skill development in India?
A. The skilling initiatives are focused on preparing individuals for the future, ensuring that those trained at our institutes today are equipped to meet the industry’s evolving requirements. With the rise of Industry 4.0 and the growing relevance of Industry 5.0 in the manufacturing sector, it is crucial that our training programs incorporate digitalization and interconnectivity. The equipment we’ve invested in at IIS Mumbai and IIS Ahmedabad is designed to reflect these advancements, allowing us to replicate real-world industry scenarios.
Additionally, while addressing industry needs is a key aspect of our approach, we also recognize the importance of providing opportunities for those who have limited access to economic resources. The Tata Group and Tata Trust aim to create a meaningful impact in society by equipping individuals with skills that lead to better earning potential and sustainable careers. By focusing on emerging technologies rather than traditional skills, we aim to help our trainees remain relevant and aim for higher compensation in their careers.
Q. What are the key industry partnerships supporting the manufacturing and hospitality courses offered at Indian Institutes of Skills (IIS)?
A. From the beginning, we recognized the importance of establishing deep and meaningful collaborations with the industry to ensure our relevance. We partner with both Tata Group companies and leading global firms in automation and robotics. For instance, our CNC equipment comes from industry leaders like Makino, while our robotics partnerships include companies like ABB. Additionally, we collaborate with Fronius and Lincoln for welding technologies, and Festo and SMC for automation solutions. In the electric vehicle sector, we work with Tata Motors and Ather Energy, both known for their technological excellence.
In the hospitality sector, we’ve partnered with the Taj Group as a key curriculum and infrastructure collaborator. We also receive support from prominent brands such as ITC, Hyatt, and Novotel. Our approach is centered on industry needs, ensuring that our training programs align with current market demands rather than adopting an inward-looking perspective.
Q. Can you explain how these industry partnerships influence the curriculum, teaching methods, infrastructure, and practical training at IIS Mumbai?
A. The approach is holistic, integrating industry partnerships across multiple dimensions. We’ve collaborated with leading OEMs to equip our labs with cutting-edge technology, including equipment from Philips, Formlabs, and Lucas Nülle for 3D printing and didactic training. This ensures our trainees have access to the latest tools for hands-on learning.
We also work closely with industry partners to develop our curriculum, aligning it with current market demands. This collaboration allows us to identify the most relevant content that our trainees will need to succeed in their future roles. Our trainers, who possess extensive industry experience, recreate real manufacturing scenarios in the classroom, emphasizing practical training—over 70% of our sessions are hands-on, allowing trainees to learn directly from the equipment while reinforcing theoretical concepts in context.
Q. What are the entry-level courses offered, and what are the requirements for students enrolling in these programs?
A. We launched six courses at Indian Institutes of Skills (IIS) catering to different academic backgrounds. Four focus on advanced manufacturing, and two are related to electric vehicles.
- Advanced Arc Welding Techniques: Designed for ITI graduates, this course emphasizes robotic welding, crucial for the automotive industry.
- 2-Wheeler Technician Course: Also aimed at ITI graduates, it focuses on skills for servicing electric two- and three-wheelers.
- Fundamentals of Industrial Automation: Open to diploma engineering graduates, this course covers essential automation concepts.
- Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing): This course targeted for diploma holders, focusing on 3D printing technologies.
- Advanced Automation and Robotics: Targeted at graduate engineers, this course delves into robotics programming, CNC operations, and modular production systems.
- EV Battery Specialist: This course teaches battery assembly, charging protocols, and communication protocols essential for electric vehicles.
These courses are structured to provide relevant skills for various levels of prior education.
Q. How are you integrating soft skills and 21st-century skills into your courses to ensure students receive a holistic education?
A. We take pride in integrating 21st-century skills into our curriculum because they are vital for career growth in any sector. Unlike many programs that offer soft skills training, we ensure that our trainees work on these skills daily. Each course includes 60 to 90 minutes dedicated to essential skills like communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving.
Additionally, Indian Institutes of Skills (IIS) collaborate with Bosch Rexroth to provide expertise in quality and problem-solving, which are foundational skills in a manufacturing context. Our commitment to holistic education is reflected in our use of both in-house trainers and external experts to deliver this crucial training effectively.
Q. Do students need to take an entrance test or exam to enroll in these programs?
A. To ensure students have a basic understanding of the course concepts, we conduct a simple online test that covers both aptitude and technical knowledge. This test can be taken from home and consists of multiple question sets, ensuring no two candidates receive the same paper. After registering on our website, candidates receive an email with a test link. They will be informed shortly after completing the test whether they qualify for the program, allowing them to proceed with the next steps.
Q. What is the duration and frequency of the programs, and is accommodation provided for trainees?
A: Each program runs for three months, with new batches starting every three months. While accommodation is not mandatory, we offer local housing support for trainees who need it on a cost-recovery basis. And, we provide transportation assistance to help them reach the campus. For more details, please visit Tata IIS website at tataiis.org.
Also read: Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) – The future of excellence in industry-aligned skill development
Q. What is your vision for the future, and do you plan to introduce more courses?
A. We are continuously developing new courses, including collaborations with Universal Robots for robotics. While we focus on fresh graduates, we are also creating upskilling programs for college students and industry professionals.
Q. What are the placement opportunities for students, and is there a chance for them to get employed with partner industries?
A. We focus on providing high-quality skilling with industry-relevant training, but placements are not guaranteed. Trainees must put in significant effort, meet attendance requirements, and actively participate. For those who do, we have strong industry ties, including with Tata and OEM partners, to facilitate placements in challenging roles.
Q. What advice would you give to young students eager to pursue a career in in these technologies?
A. My advice for the students would be that they should retain their confidence and clarity about what they want in life, as it’s their strength. However, it’s equally important to stay humble and hardworking. There’s no substitute for hard work, and humility allows for continuous learning, even when you’re an expert. This mindset will support long-term career growth.
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