Chennai, May 30, 2025: ASSIST Asia and Stellantis India have partnered to launch the significant project INSPIRE, which stands for Integrating Sustainability, Progress, and Innovation. 2,500 students from ITIs and vocational schools will receive hands-on training in advanced mechatronics, robotics, and electric vehicle systems as part of the project.
In order to ensure the program’s long-term sustainability, 200 Master Trainers will also receive certification. The project integrates technical training with workshops on digital and financial literacy, job readiness, health and safety, and green skills to improve students’ employment prospects.
By matching the needs of India’s growing manufacturing and transportation sectors, Stellantis India is preparing young people for careers in automation, sustainability, and electric mobility.
“We are grateful for the partnership of ASSIST Asia and NITTTR Chennai, whose collaboration is integral to the success of this project,” said Mr Shailesh Hazela, CEO and Managing Director of Stellantis India.
This program, which was introduced at NITTTR Chennai, brought together professionals from the government, business, and education sectors. The project helps the Tamil Nadu government achieve its objective of developing a solid foundation of engineering talent and promoting technical innovation and skills to support long-term industrial growth.
On May 26, 2025, the first training phase under Project INSPIRE began at NITTTR Chennai. The programme will run for a year and eventually expand to Pune. The programme seeks to give young Indians the skills they need for jobs in tech-driven and sustainable industries, in line with national objectives like Industry 4.0 and Viksit Bharat 2047.
Stellantis highlights the value of upskilling as a means of giving people the future-ready skills required in the rapidly evolving industrial landscape of today.
In order to make a significant difference, Project INSPIRE aims to increase entry-level salaries by 20%, place 75% of participating students in internships or jobs, and achieve 30% female participation. Additionally, the programme aims to improve 10 technical institutions by forging closer ties with industry, and it targets an 85% course completion rate.
ASSIST Asia is assisting in the provision of practical, industry-focused training that satisfies the demands of India’s quickly evolving automotive sector in collaboration with Stellantis India. In addition to empowering young people, the programme helps guarantee that the automotive industry has the talent required for its continuous transformation by equipping them with future-ready skills in robotics, mechatronics, and electric mobility.
Karunakaran K, Country Head, ASSIST Asia, stated, “We look forward to seeing this partnership drive long-term impact, foster job creation, and contribute to a more sustainable, skilled economy.”
Chennai and Pune were selected for Project INSPIRE because of their strong automotive industries and well-established technical education systems. These cities offer the right environment to align training programs with actual job market needs, helping bridge the gap between education and employment. The launch event held at NITTTR Chennai marked an important milestone, bringing together educators, government officials, and industry leaders to kick off an initiative that aims to strengthen India’s technical education and skill development landscape.
In addition to Project INSPIRE, Stellantis India has implemented a range of educational initiatives across Tamil Nadu. These include improving school infrastructure near the Thiruvallur plant by setting up STEM labs and upgraded facilities, positively impacting over 1,500 students. The company has also promoted innovation and skill development through collaborations with institutions like NIT Tiruchirappalli and supported faculty training through programs such as Naan Mudhalvan, which reached more than 10,000 students. These efforts reflect Stellantis’ continued commitment to strengthening the education ecosystem and supporting the region’s development goals.
Stellantis is a global automotive leader committed to offering customers flexible, technology-driven mobility solutions. The company brings together a diverse lineup of iconic and forward-thinking brands, including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, DS Automobiles, FIAT, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, Vauxhall, Free2move, and Leasys.
