In the pursuit of its consistent endeavour, the University has joined hands with Hero MotoCorp Ltd. (HMCL) to initiate a competency based skill development programme under IGNOU-HMCL Motorcycle Technicians Competency Development Project (IH-MTCDP) (popularly known as IGNOU-HERO Project). It is a collaborative initiative of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), the largest open university in the world and Hero MotoCorp Ltd. (HMCL), world’s no. 1 motorcycle manufacturing company, towards the competency based skill development training for the existing motorcycle technicians and educated raw learners of the country. Under the project, a non-credit Certificate Programme in Motorcycle Service and Repair (CMSR) is on offer since April, 2006. Till now, over 10,500 learners have already been trained and certified under this programme through its existing 43 training centres. The salient features of the programme include Use of ICT, Resource Sharing, Education-Work Linkage, Competency based Training, and Fulfilment of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
The innovative programme design of CMSR programme includes firstly, the theoretical and demonstrative training of learners at training centres and then attaching them to actual work place to practice what is learnt. In fact, it is a perfect example of education-work linkage in vocational education where industry is participating shoulder-to-shoulder in terms of arranging the hands-on job training of the learners in the actual work place. Here, the learners are exposed to real world situations and the challenges of the field. Under effective evaluation mechanism, the learners are continuously evaluated by their trainer during the hands-on training session apart from participating in Trade Test at the end of the programme.
Rationale of the Programme
It has been observed that due to non-availability of skilled and certified technicians in the locale, a large number of motorcycle owners (around 70% as per the estimation of HMCL) visit untrained technicians for the service and repair of their motorcycles after the expiry of warrantee period and in the process, they face several problems due to inept handling of their vehicles. It is a well-known fact that such technicians lack appropriate skills due to non-availability of avenues for such trainings. Therefore, to mitigate this problem, it was felt necessary that motorcycle technicians working in private garages or in authorised dealers’ workshops be provided structured training in motorcycle service and repair to enhance their skills in tune with the changing techniques and technologies.
Cometency based Vocational Qualification System :
The Training Methodology
Training methodology is a very important parameter for imparting training for a particular segment of learners. It cannot be same for all. Thus, for CMSR programme, competency based vocational qualification system has been developed.
Under the qualification system, various competency statements (Performance standards for motorcycle technicians conforming to HMCL standards) have been developed. For each performance standard, corresponding performance criteria and evidences have also been formulated. The performance of a learner is assessed vis-à-vis the laid down performance standards. Thus, the generation of requisite evidences by the learners of having acquired the necessary skills, to meet the prescribed performance standards, is the key to successfully complete this programme. Hence, this way the programme can help upgrading the competency level of the learners.
Programme Coordinator :
Prof. Ashish Agarwal, Prof. K.T. Mannan and Prof. N Venkateshwarlu
Email: ashisha@ignou.ac.in
Tel. No-011-29572917