For anyone eyeing a Maruti SUV or sedan, the buzz isn’t about a new model launch but about the people who build the cars. Maruti Suzuki’s decision to upgrade 31 ITIs to JIM standards—spending almost ₹100 crore—means the brand’s technicians will receive seven months of on‑floor training instead of the three months mandated by the government.
The JIM framework blends government‑approved courses with industry‑specific modules, hands‑on use of paint booths, conveyor lines and real‑world problem‑solving. While an ITI might let a learner touch a car’s chassis, a JIM‑trained student will spend months in a live Maruti plant, working alongside senior technicians and even getting stipends.
Maruti already runs four JIMs that can serve 1,352 trainees a year, and the national network has 42 institutes with a total capacity of 2,902. Adding 31 more brings the company close to being a one‑stop supplier of fully‑trained, defect‑aware mechanics and engineers.
Quality is the first line of defense against recalls. Rahul Bharti, Maruti’s Corporate Affairs officer, said the training focuses on defect identification in welding, electrical work and paint jobs. A technician who can spot a flaw before it turns into a safety issue reduces warranty costs and boosts consumer confidence.
The initiative also has a social angle. Maruti targets 30% female participation at its Manesar institute by FY2029, up from 9% today, by offering scholarships, hostel facilities and outreach to parents—efforts that could ripple into a more diverse engineering workforce.
While the 31 new institutes won’t hit the road until 2025, buyers can already feel the ripple effects: better assembly precision, fewer post‑sale complaints and a brand that invests in people as much as it does in parts.