Mercedes-Benz Starts All-Women Mechatronics Course In India

Mercedes-Benz India has announced a first-of-its-kind tie-up with a Pune-based women's college to start an all-women Mechatronics course in India. A part of the company CSR activity, for this new initiative, the company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha women's college. The new Advanced Diploma in Automotive Mechatronics (ADAM) course has been designed by the Mercedes-Benz Global Training Centre and focuses on self-learning methodology while helping candidates upskill themselves with the latest technological advancements. The programme will be conducted in collaboration with Government and private educational institutions and now with an all-women college.

Also Read: Mercedes-Benz India Expands Its Mechatronics Program To North India

Commenting on the company's latest initiative, Santosh Iyer, Vice-President-Customer Service & Corporate Affairs, Mercedes-Benz India, said, "Mercedes-Benz is extending its commitment to promote diversity and open the doors of automotive mechatronics for women aspirants. As the leaders in the luxury automobile industry, we want to break the stereotype associated with women in this sector and want more women to join the workforce." Talking about the company's aim from this Mechatronics programme, Iyer added, "We are now confident that more women candidates would actively seek to hone their skill sets and decide to join the automotive industry. At Mercedes-Benz, we are witnessing an increase in the number of women customers as well in our portfolio. In fact, 10-12 per cent of our annual sales come from women and it is an increasing trend."

This is Mercedes-Benz India's second MoU signing in Pune and seventh in the country for the Mechatronic program, and this course is currently available in Pune, Aurangabad, Delhi, Noida and Thiruvananthapuram across public and private colleges. Mercedes-Benz India started the first Mechatronics training school in the year 2002 with the aim of providing trained service personnel and engineers. Only 20 students qualify to take the course every year and since its inception, over 540 students have successfully completed the programme. The total Investment for ADAM course across all institutions through CSR is INR 5.5 Crores including cars given to the institutes.

At Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha, Pune, the first ADAM course will initially start with a single batch of 20 students. The selection of candidates will be strictly based on merit via an entrance test conducted by the college under the supervision of Mercedes-Benz. Engineering Degree/Diploma holders are eligible to appear for the entrance test. Certificates for the successful students shall be jointly issued by the authorities of the college and the company.