Delhi-NCR, India, October 2025 – In a landmark move to bridge India’s skilling divide and accelerate the nation’s transition towards a technology-driven workforce, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Ministry of Education, announced the launch of “IGNiTE 4.0”, a flagship initiative developed under a strategic partnership between the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Mercedes-Benz India.
The program will train 1,000 youth from underserved communities in next-generation automotive technologies, with a focus on Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Industry 4.0 skills. At least 30% of the participants will be women, reflecting a strong commitment to gender inclusion and equitable growth.
Empowering India’s Workforce of the Future
Launching the initiative, Shri Jayant Chaudhary emphasized India’s urgent need to turn its demographic advantage into an engine of innovation and growth.
“As one million youth join our workforce every month, India must harness this demographic dividend through equity, inclusion, and opportunity. Women are emerging as true change agents — in sports, industry, STEM, and education — empowering not just themselves, but their families and communities,” said Chaudhary.
He highlighted the government’s broader vision to employ 45 million people in the mobility sector, with 9 million in the EV ecosystem, under the National Mission on Transformative Mobility.
“This moment calls for integrating cutting-edge technology into our skilling and education systems. Our institutions must think beyond cost competitiveness — we must lead on innovation, product development, and intellectual property creation,” he added.
Citing the ₹60,000 crore allocation under PM-SETU, Chaudhary noted that India is enabling lakhs of youth to gain national certifications, pursue ITI programs, and become job creators, ensuring that skilling remains aspirational and future-ready.
IGNiTE 4.0: Creating Industry-Ready Professionals
The IGNiTE 4.0 programme, implemented by Kedman Skilling Private Limited, will be hosted at Manav Rachna University (Delhi-NCR) and MIT ADT University (Pune). It offers a 12-month curriculum covering critical roles such as:
- Electric Vehicle Service Assistant
- Automotive Quality Control Assistant
- Automotive Product Testing Technician
- Industry 4.0 Technician
Training will be conducted through the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), ensuring standardized quality, transparent assessments, and progress tracking aligned with the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF).
The program’s three-phase approach includes:
- Centre Establishment and Needs Assessment
- Skill Training and Job Mapping
- Placement and Mentorship Support
It also integrates entrepreneurship modules, family sensitization programs, and gender mainstreaming initiatives to foster long-term, inclusive impact.
Industry Commitment to Inclusive Skilling
Mr. Emrah Oezer, Executive Director & CFO, Mercedes-Benz India, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to advancing India’s human capital in mobility innovation:
“Mercedes-Benz has always been committed to nurturing India’s automotive ecosystem and human capital development. Through this partnership with NSDC, we are creating aspirational pathways for young talents from economically challenged backgrounds to participate meaningfully in India’s rapidly evolving automotive landscape. This aligns perfectly with our global commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.”
Driving India’s Mobility Transformation
With EV sales projected to exceed 9 million units annually by 2027, generating 10 million direct jobs and 50 million indirect jobs by 2030, the IGNiTE 4.0 initiative directly supports India’s Vision 2047 of becoming a developed nation powered by innovation, inclusion, and industrial growth.
By integrating academia, industry, and community stakeholders, NSDC and Mercedes-Benz India are setting a new standard for collaborative skilling ecosystems, enabling youth to thrive in the electric and smart mobility sectors while fostering entrepreneurship and sustainability.
About National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC):
The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) operates under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and functions as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to catalyze skill development across India. NSDC funds and supports scalable vocational initiatives while enabling sector-specific quality assurance, data systems, and trainer development academies. Its 21-sector focus ensures sustainable private investment and industry-aligned skilling solutions.
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