Underscoring a major need for skilling in rubber and tyre sector, the Centre has shown its keenness to open a national institute to meet the training needs of the sector.

In a conclave with the top management of rubber and tyre industries organised by the Automotive Tyre manufacturers Association (ATMA), the Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, has invited the industry to collaborate with the Government in setting up the institute.

Rubber is an important sector of the economy and India did not have a principal institution to cater to the training needs of the sector, he said.

Highlighting the diverse needs of skill training in tyre industry, Rudy said around 15 crore tyres are being manufactured every year entailing the need for huge manpower to be trained. There are more than 10,000 dealers of tyres. Tyre alignment and maintenance is a must for safety. Therefore the training needs of the sector are crucial for safety on the roads.

According to Raghupati Singhania, past president ATMA, the value chain of the rubber and tyre sector is long and a rich one which includes about one million natural rubber growers and about two million people working in rubber and tyre industries. Besides, there are about 6,000 rubber and tyre-manufacturing units which manufacture 35,000 different rubber products besides tyres.

Vinod Simon, Chairman, Rubber Skill Development Council (RSDC), thanked the Ministry for all new initiatives aimed at increasing the skill base in the country.

RSDC is trying to develop a strong eco system for the sector such as developing National Occupational Standards (NOS), affiliating training providers, revising the curriculum and certification of trainees as well as trainers, he said.

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