Mobile skill training vans fitted with state-of-the-art tyre fitting equipment will be plying on the highways and transport hubs in Tamil Nadu and will train tyre mechanics. A Mobile Skill Van was flagged off recently by Mr K M Mammen, Chairman Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA) in the presence of  Executive Director Rubber Board Dr K N Raghavan.

The mobile vans have been launched by Rubber Skill Development Council (RSDC), the sector skill council for Rubber in the country under the project SAAMARTH which aims at reskilling a million people in Rubber as mandated by Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. In Tamil Nadu, the mobile vans will up-skill 3000 tyre mechanics and certify them during the month of March 2020.

“Tyre mechanics play a vital role in ensuring that road transport is safe and efficient. Tyre fitters not only change tyres but can be a source of valuable information on tyre maintenance for their customers. However that is possible only if they are formally trained. This campaign by RSDC will prove to be a gamechanger in Skill India project”, said  Mr K M Mammen.

Mobile vans have been mobilized with a view to move them across different state highways, villages and towns, creating awareness about skill requirement for tyre service and maintenance and safety on roads associated with upkeep of the tyres.

“Tyres are known as wheels of a nation and tyres services and maintenance is a huge sector that needs a skilling boost. Currently this segment, which has a major role to play in making road transport efficient and ensuring road safety, is largely unorganized. Hence skilling and reskilling in Tyre services has been taken by RSDC as a priority area”, said Mr Vinod Simon, Chairman RSDC.

Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) has collaborated with RSDC in this campaign of up-skilling tyre fitters. The training is being provided under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) scheme of Government of India.

Rubber Skill Development Council (RSDC) is a Sector Skill Council for the rubber sector set up by All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA) and Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA), in Collaboration with National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the aegis of Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. RSDC is focusing on skill development & training needs of the Rubber sector.