HCL Foundation and ASDC Host Convocation for Taxi Driver Trainees in Bengaluru, Championing Women Inclusion

New Delhi, Apr 06: Automotive Skills Development Council in partnership with the HCLFoundation, celebrated the successful completion of a transformative skill development initiative with the convocation of 90 trained taxi driver candidates in Bengaluru. The program is aimed at empowering marginalized youth by creating sustainable livelihood opportunities in India’s rapidly evolving mobility sector.

The convocation marked a significant milestone with a strong emphasis on women’s empowerment. Of the certified candidates, 82 were women trained as taxi drivers, underscoring a meaningful step toward enhancing female representation in the traditionally male-dominated mobility sector. The training was conducted at the Ashok Leyland – Institute of Driving & Training Research, a premier facility known for its industry-aligned driver training programs. “Through this initiative, ASDC continues to strengthen its mandate of creating an industry-ready workforce for the evolving mobility ecosystem,” said Vinkesh Gulati, ASDC Chairman. “Our focus is not just on skilling but on enabling sustainable livelihoods, particularly for underserved communities and women, while also promoting road safety awareness and responsible driving practices to build a safer and more accountable mobility ecosystem.”

On the occasion of convocation Arindam Lahiri, CEO, ASDC said, “Partnerships like this are critical to addressing real-time industry demands. By aligning training with employer expectations, we are ensuring that candidates are job-ready from day one.”

The candidates underwent comprehensive training for the Taxi Driver job role through a structured curriculum that included:

• Safe and professional driving practices
• Road safety norms and regulatory awareness
• Customer service and communication skills
• Digital literacy
• Life skills for long-term career growth

HCLFoundation and Automotive Skills Development Council are actively collaborating with mobility platforms, fleet operators and industry stakeholders to facilitate placement opportunities for all trained candidates. While the placement process is currently underway, the organizations remain confident that the industry readiness of the candidates will translate into successful employment outcomes in the coming phase.

HCLFoundation’s steadfast commitment to inclusive and sustainable development continues to enable meaningful livelihood opportunities for underserved communities through focused skilling interventions.

ASDC underscores its continued commitment to building a skilled, inclusive, and future-ready workforce for India’s mobility sector while contributing to broader goals of sustainable and equitable growth.