Mahesana: The first batch of 254 students from the Japan-India Institute for Manufacturing (JIM) in Mehsana, Gujarat, has completed their course. Earlier today, they received the ‘Certificate of Course Completion’ for skills in Japanese Manufacturing Practices and Processes, at the Maruti Suzuki-supported institute in association with Ganpat University.

The certificates were awarded by Ryoji Noda, Consul-General of Japan in Mumbai, Kenichi Ayukawa, managing director and CEO and A K Tomer, executive director, Maruti Suzuki India along with Dr M S Sharma, director general, Ganpat University. Representatives from METI, AOTS, Japan and Ganpat University were also present.

Congratulating the students, Kenichi Ayukawa, said: “I am happy to see the progress we have made here at JIM in just a year. My heartiest congratulations to the students, teachers and the staff of JIM. Skill development at JIM is focused on employability. Besides the core technical skills, we groom the students in Japanese manufacturing practices and processes that are very important for a person to succeed in today’s growing automobile industry.”

“These values of discipline, punctuality and kaizen (continuous improvement in Japanese) will complement their technical skills and distinguish them from the rest. We believe that JIM at Mehsana is set to serve as a model for ITI education in the country. JIM will contribute to Skill India and help youth find a gainful employment,” added Ayukawa.

Dr M S Sharma, director general, Ganpat University, said, “JIM is an excellent example of government, industry and educational institute coming together for a national cause. Ganpat University is happy to be an important partner in this initiative. As a leading manufacturer, Maruti Suzuki understands the industry requirement and helps us redefine the training curriculum. This has helped students at JIM to acquire the right skills, both technical as well as soft skills, and fulfil their dreams of getting a desirable employment.”

The Japan India Institute for Manufacturing (JIM), Ganpat Vidyanagar, Mehsana is a result of the collaboration between the governments of Japan and India to create a pool of 30,000 skilled manpower for manufacturing in India.

JIM, Ganpat Vidyanagar, Mehsana is a model ITI offering technical, NCVT-approved, training in eight trades related to automobile manufacturing. These skill programs include fitter, electrician, welder, mechanic for diesel vehicles, mechanic motor vehicle, mechanic auto body repair, mechanic auto body painting and driver-cum- mechanic.

Additionally, the institute offers a course on Japanese manufacturing practices and processes to its students. The course curriculum is developed by AOTS, Japan under guidance of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan. This specially designed training module covers important Japanese soft skills like kaizen, 5S, and 3G.

The dual certificate system, of the government of India (NCVT) approved technical course and the government of Japan approved course for skills in Japanese manufacturing practices and processes, is one of the unique aspects of JIM.

Through its comprehensive industry oriented training programs the institute redefines the quality of technical training at ITIs with unique features like mini vehicle assembly line, engine assembly line, safety lab, virtual welding simulators and spot welding equipment. This strong infrastructure is to provide a hands-on learning experience to the students and make them industry ready.