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MOTORINDIA
l
July 2012
Apollo Tyres’ first training centre
for CV drivers opened at Ujjain
Apollo Tyres Ltd. recently opened
its first formal training centre for
heavy and light commercial vehicles
(CV) in Ujjain city in partnership
with B-ABLE, a not-for-profit organ-
isation. The focus of this, and future
driver training centres, will be on the
dual areas of imparting a complete ed-
ucation to equip young aspirants with
all aspects of road and vehicle safety
and maintenance; along with promot-
ing a holistic approach to health and
well-being.
The Ujjain centre will train 200
drivers every year. To qualify for a
certificate, each individual will have
to undergo a 45-day training mod-
ule, which includes complete driving
and road management, safe driving,
fuel conservation, repairs and main-
tenance, tyre care and life, trouble-
shooting and first aid. Individuals will
also have to complete a minimum of
20 hours of practical on-road driving
under varying conditions with an in-
structor.
Inaugurating the centre, Mr. Rajesh
Dahiya, Group Head, Sales and Mar-
keting, Apollo Tyres Ltd.,
said: “Our aim in setting
up these centres is two-
pronged. First to generate
employment and increase
road safety. And second,
to create a new crop of
CV drivers who are aware
and know how to take
care of their own health
and that of their vehicles.
Initiatives like this will
go a long way in promot-
ing profitability in the CV
sector, given that there is
a dearth of trained drivers
and fuel and tyres are the
two biggest costs the sec-
tor is faced with.”
Commented Mr. Sushil Ramola,
Chief Executive Officer and MD, B-
ABLE: “The association with Apollo
Tyres adds greater value to what we
are already doing at B-ABLE in pro-
viding sustainable and market-led
skill development programmes. Be-
ing a leader in the Indian CV seg-
ment, they have a high exposure and
knowledge of the segment, behaviour
of people and their needs. They also
bring in valuable expertise on tyre
care and maintenance.”
The driver training institutes are
being undertaken by Apollo Tyres
Foundation, which already runs
‘Project U’, a skill upgradation and
job placement programme for youth
in the vicinity of the company’s man-
ufacturing facilities.
w
component zone
Students getting tyre tips from an expert of Apollo Tyres
Apollo decided to take this route in view of the rising need to address em-
ployability and skill development of young people. The focus on safety and
health stems from the fact that India has the second highest CV accident
rate in the world, because drivers push themselves to spend long hours on
the road, neglecting basic rest and health needs.