Maruti Suzuki India Limited is intensifying efforts to enhance women’s participation in India’s automotive manufacturing workforce through its Japan-India Institute for Manufacturing (JIM) at Uncha Majra, Manesar. JIMs are a collaborative effort between the Governments of India and Japan to create a pool of skilled workforce for the manufacturing sector in India.
Maruti Suzuki has established four JIMs, located at Mehsana and Gandhinagar in Gujarat, and Uncha Majra at Manesar and Sonipat in Haryana. To build a stronger pipeline of trained women in manufacturing, JIM Uncha Majra, Manesar is inducting female students in alignment with regional job opportunities. Building on steady enrolment growth over the past two academic years, the institute is targeting women’s enrolment to reach 30% of total admissions by AY 2028-29. JIM Uncha Majra offers courses across 9 trades, focused primarily on the automotive sector.
Mr. Rahul Bharti, Senior Executive Officer, Corporate Affairs, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said diversity is essential for a complete range of skills, and the company remains committed to increasing women’s participation in manufacturing. He noted that while talented women exist across the country, many remain unaware of opportunities in manufacturing or haven’t considered it a career choice, adding that two female students from JIM Uncha Majra emerged as Haryana state toppers in manufacturing trades this year, demonstrating the strong potential of women in the field.
He said the company is adopting a holistic approach to increase female enrolment, including a dedicated women’s hostel, greater representation of women across faculty and support functions, and, from this academic year, a 100% tuition fee waiver for women students, aimed at encouraging more young women to pursue careers in manufacturing.
JIM Uncha Majra students continue to secure top ranks in the state, with the institute producing top rankers across four trades this year, including sweeping all three top positions in two of those trades.
JIMs offer vocational training aligned with advanced manufacturing requirements, reflecting collaborative efforts between the Governments of India and Japan to promote skill development in the sector. Affiliated with the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) India and accredited by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), JIMs follow a Dual System of Training combining classroom instruction with seven months of paid industry training annually, offering students practical experience through an “Earn while you Learn” model, alongside training in advanced manufacturing techniques and soft skills based on Japanese manufacturing principles.
