Toyota Kirloskar Motor Celebrates the Success of Skill Festival 2025,
Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) recently concluded its highly anticipated Skill Festival 2025, an event that underscored the company’s unwavering dedication to nurturing and empowering India’s skilled workforce. The grand ceremony was graced by distinguished dignitaries, including Dr. Ragapriya R (IAS), Commissioner, Department of Industrial Training and Employment (DITE), Government of Karnataka, along with key members of TKM’s senior leadership team.
The event commenced with an inspiring showcase tracing TKM’s transformative journey in skill development. This presentation highlighted the company’s major milestones, innovations, and the seamless integration of advanced technologies Toyota aimed at shaping talent Toyota for the demands of tomorrow’s manufacturing and mobility sectors. Guests were treated to a dedicated skill exhibition and a video walk-through, offering immersive insights into the breadth and depth of technical competencies cultivated within TKM’s robust training ecosystem.
A key highlight of the Skill Festival was the vibrant participation of students from partner Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across Karnataka. These students exhibited their skills across a range of disciplines, including Mechatronics, Toyota Auto Body Repair, and Prototype Modelling—emphasizing TKM’s deep-rooted commitment to nurturing talent right from the grassroots level. Their impressive displays reflected the quality, precision, and discipline that TKM’s training programs instill in young aspirants.
Showcasing Excellence through the Toyota Internal Skill Contests
At the heart of the celebration were the prestigious Toyota Internal Skill Contests, organized by the Toyota India Centre of Excellence. Toyota These competitions provided a rigorous platform for associates to showcase their expertise across critical manufacturing domains such as Assembly, Welding, Press, Paint, Maintenance, Logistics, and Quality.
The contests witnessed participation from over 5,800 employees, from which the top three performers from each department were meticulously selected. These finalists underwent an intensive four-week advanced training program at Gurukul, Toyota Kirloskar in-house skilling academy designed to further hone their capabilities. Following their training, 51 finalists were recognized during the grand ceremony, lauded for their outstanding achievements and dedication to excellence.
The journey for these champions does not end here. Over the next three months, they will undergo further advanced training and evaluations. Based on their performance, 17 exceptional individuals will earn the honor of representing TKM at the Global Skill Contest 2025 scheduled for August, bringing the spotlight onto Indian manufacturing talent on an international platform.
Voices of Encouragement and Inspiration
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Ragapriya R (IAS) praised TKM’s sustained efforts to empower youth with future-ready skills. She remarked,
“Empowering youth with future-ready skills is the cornerstone of Karnataka’s growth and India’s development. The Skill Festival hosted by TKM is a powerful demonstration of how industry can play a transformative role in shaping the future of our workforce. Toyota By equipping youth with practical skills and global exposure, TKM is not only supporting the Government’s vision of a skilled India but also empowering communities across Karnataka. I am happy that Faculty and the ITIs are being developed through the Skill Festival. I applaud Toyota’s commitment to inclusive, grassroots-driven development, and their continued partnership in strengthening the state’s skilling ecosystem.”
Adding his perspective, Mr. G. Shankara, Executive Vice President – Finance and Administration at TKM, emphasized the company’s philosophy of people-centric excellence:
“At Toyota Kirloskar , our unwavering commitment to manufacturing the highest quality cars is deeply rooted in the passion and craftsmanship of our people—what we call Kotozukuri. Recognizing that excellence in manufacturing begins with excellence in people, we place skilling and people development at the core of our mission. Toyota Through focused efforts to nurture rural youth and equip them with world-class technical competencies, we are building future-ready professionals while contributing meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the nation. Initiatives like the Skill Festival, our support to ITIs, and advanced training programs reflect our broader vision of building a self-reliant, future-ready workforce—while also contributing to India’s journey as a global manufacturing hub.”
Paving the Way for India’s Success at the WorldSkills Competition
A particularly exciting dimension of the Skill Festival 2025 was TKM’s continued contribution to India’s success at the WorldSkills Competition, often referred to as the “Skill Olympics.” Since its inception in 1950, WorldSkills has evolved into a prestigious global platform, bringing together over 1,400 competitors from 65 countries, competing across 59 official skills and five showcase skills under six key sectors.
India’s performance at WorldSkills has steadily gained momentum, with TKM-trained candidates making significant contributions. Between 2015 and 2022, Indian participants trained by TKM secured three Bronze Medals in Mechatronics and Prototype Modelling, alongside earning the Medallion for Excellence in Mechatronics and Additive Manufacturing. Their achievements are a testament to the quality of technical training and international benchmarking standards upheld by TKM.
As the countdown to the next edition in Shanghai, China (September 18, 2025) begins, TKM’s focus on refining and preparing the next set of champions continues, bolstering India’s reputation on the global skills stage.
Strengthening Karnataka’s Skilling Ecosystem: A Holistic Approach
Beyond its own workforce development initiatives, Toyota Kirloskar Motor has been a transformative force in Karnataka’s broader skilling landscape. TKM’s efforts align Toyota seamlessly with the Government of India’s Skill India Mission and the Make in India vision, creating a comprehensive, inclusive ecosystem to empower youth, enhance institutional capabilities, and foster globally competitive professionals.
Key contributions by TKM include:
- Partnering with 80 technical institutes across Karnataka, Toyota Kirloskar comprising 60 ITIs and 20 Government Tool Room and Training Centres (GTTCs).
- In the financial year 2024–25 alone, TKM supported 17 new government institutions, expanding opportunities for technical education.
- Launching faculty development programs for principals and trainers, ensuring high-quality instruction in partner institutions.
- Implementing the Toyota Youth Connect Program, which engaged over 7,700 students across 31 districts, providing industry exposure and employability skills.
- Running the Developing Safety Mindset Campaign across 25 ITIs, emphasizing a culture of workplace safety from the grassroots level.
Additionally, the Toyota Technical Training Institute (TTTI), a flagship initiative, now trains over 1,000 students, with up to 600 female students, boasting a 100% placement rate. Programs like Toyota Kaushalya Learn & Earn, GTTC specialized training, and the establishment of 26 Centres of Excellence further reinforce TKM’s deep commitment to building a robust and future-ready workforce.Building the Foundations of India’s Industrial Future
The Skill Festival 2025 served as a powerful reaffirmation of Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s leadership in skill development and workforce empowerment. By combining localized capability development, global benchmarking standards, and deep collaborations with government and educational institutions, TKM is helping shape the next generation of Indian industry leaders.
Through sustained investments in people, technology, and training, TKM is not just building careers—it is building the foundation for India’s emergence as a global manufacturing powerhouse.
