Honda to come up with vocational training institute in Rajasthan

The Japanese auto giant Honda is said to be planning a vocational training institute in Rajasthan, India. If this becomes a reality, there will be tremendous skill up gradation in the desert state and new avenues and fresh job prospects will open up. Furthermore, it is also presumed that Honda may have planned to use this institute as a feeder for its upcoming manufacturing plant in Rajasthan. However, complete details as to where and when the institute will come up but one thing is sure that once the institute is in place, Rajasthan would appear on the world map and quality mechanics would be produced here.

As per sources, the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) has cleared the proposal and recommended it for approval for the set up of the institute which will impart technical and specialized training in areas related to automobiles and supply chain to general public and employees of Honda group. However, in order to avoid criticisms, Honda India is said to have already clarified that the vocational training plan will be entirely for engaging in additional activity and would not be part of any fresh FDI (foreign direct investment), sources added.

Sources reveal that after Honda India submitted the proposal to Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), it was referred to the FIPB. It is also learnt that the FIPB has recommended approval of the Honda’s proposal to an extent it sticks to the FDI policy. The DEA has sought comments from Government of Rajasthan as concessional land and other facilitates will be provided by the state. Meanwhile the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) and the Department of Heavy Industries have already approved the proposal inviting comments from the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Ministry of Human Resource Development. Comments from the two ministries are still awaited. Notably, Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI) is already on the track to start its second car manufacturing unit in Alwar, Rajasthan besides its manufacturing unit in Greater Noida.