Driving the Future of Mobility: How SIAM is building a shared vision for India’s workforce
As India’s mobility sector accelerates towards the era of electrification, automation and sustainability, one fact has become undeniable: technology alone cannot drive the future, people will. Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) He was instrumental in voicing this idea by uniting the industry under the common goal of creating a workforce that is as ready for the future as the tools it creates.
in that Automotive HR and Skills Meeting 2025It was held in Chennai on 31 October with the theme: “Accelerating Ahead: HR and Skills for the Future of Mobility” this message came alive. Policymakers, CHROs, HR technologists, and educators came together to explore how the industry can strengthen its talent base, develop leadership for the future, and create workplaces that match the scale of its technological ambitions.
More than an event, the Conclave reflected SIAM’s long-standing commitment to shaping the future of work in mobility, defined by a clear vision and collective strength. The discussions highlighted that foresight and collaboration have become the twin forces that take India’s automotive ecosystem to the next level.
Inspiring Vision: Charting the Path Ahead
Vision has always been the fuel of innovation. For SIAM, it is also the compass that ensures growth remains people-centred. India’s automotive industry contributes to: 7% of national GDP and employing more than one person 30 million peopleIt stands at the intersection of technological disruption and social change.
Like CV GanesanHon’ble Minister for Labor Welfare and Skill Development, Government of Tamil Nadu reminded the participants: “HR leaders of auto companies have greater responsibilities as they must take care of the thousands of skilled professionals working for their organizations.”
This responsibility is increasing as the industry reimagines itself for a digital, green economy. according to Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC), emerging technologies such as EVs, connected systems and Industry 4.0 vehicles will redefine job roles in manufacturing, logistics and service networks by 2026.
This urgency was reiterated as follows: K. Veera Raghava Rao, IASSecretary, Labor Welfare and Skills Development, said:We need to have people with the appropriate qualifications to support the ever-evolving technological environment and ensure that the investments companies make are sustainable.”
For SIAM, vision is not limited to envisioning change; it is about preparing people to thrive in change. At the meeting, Dr. Natwar KadelSIAM’s Human Capital Group and Head of Vertical – People Strategy, Hyundai Motor India, puts this in perspective:
“Automobile is one of the largest contributors to GDP and also to employment in the country. Automotive Industry HR leaders have a responsibility to ensure that we continue to unlearn, relearn and reinvent ourselves in a sustainable way.”
This cycle of continuous learning and innovation forms the backbone of an inspiring vision that aligns technology with human adaptability. In an age where 39 percent of the skills of workers worldwide are expected to deteriorate within five years, World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025SIAM’s forward-looking approach helps the industry anticipate rather than react to talent needs.
An inspiring vision does more than prepare organizations for change; It helps employees see their role in shaping this change. In an industry where Generation Z is increasingly empowered, this sense of contribution and belonging is vital, given the type of workplaces that Generation Z eagerly desires to be a part of. Like Madhuri MehtaCHRO of Hero MotoCorp and Co-Head of SIAM Human Capital Group noted: “The Automotive Industry needs to improve itself to meet the expectations of Generation Z as they integrate into this Industry.”
Collaborative Excellence: Creating Ecosystems That Learn and Lead
If vision provides direction, collaboration provides impetus. Conclave’s sessions are as follows: “Improving Industry Readiness: Aligning Capabilities, Skills and Business Goals” And “Compliance as a Driver of Business: Emerging IR Practices,” It reflected SIAM’s belief that progress in mobility is a shared journey, not a solitary pursuit.
Prabhu NagarajCo-Chairman, SIAM Skills Group and Head of Operations, Corporate Affairs, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India, captured this spirit when he said: “IInvesting in skills today is key to building a strong industry tomorrow. Let’s continue to collaborate with our people, innovate and invest because the future of mobility will be built not just in factories, but in classrooms, workshops and training centers across India.”
This is truly a collaboration; It is an alliance between industry, government, academia and civil society to create the conditions for inclusive growth. In this, SIAM acts as both a unifier and a catalyst.
The collaborative approach is already visible in India’s broader technology landscape. NASSCOM Strategic Review 2025 It reveals that 82% of CXOs plan to increase investments in AI and automation, but less than half expect to expand hiring. The only sustainable response to this imbalance is ecosystem-level skills development, which is exactly what SIAM’s collaborative initiatives make possible.
At a time when India’s employability rate in emerging sectors such as robotics, artificial intelligence and cleantech is just 46%, a study has found World Bank linked analysisClosing the talent gap cannot be left to companies alone. It requires the kind of multi-stakeholder coordination that SIAM facilitates, connecting policymakers who create frameworks, educators who create curricula, and employers who implement them.
The Conclave showed that cooperation was not just a method; It’s a mentality. It turns competition into co-creation. The automotive industry’s greatest strength lies in its ability to share best practices and build collective resilience, as discussed by participants from leading manufacturers such as Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, TVS Motor Company, Ashok Leyland, India Yamaha, Renault India, JSW MG Motor India Royal Enfield.
A Shared Vision for Iconic Workplaces
SIAM Automotive HR and Skills Meeting 2025 It reaffirmed that India’s mobility revolution will be fueled by foresight and partnership as much as technology. These twin strengths of SIAM, its inspiring vision and its leadership in advancing collaborative excellence, provide a blueprint for how industries can align growth with inclusion and innovation with humanity.
Mint, in partnership with Deloitte India, is a platform for organizations across industries looking to create such environments. Mint India’s Iconic Workplaces CertificateIt is a benchmark designed to help companies measure, develop and celebrate thriving, inclusive and future-ready cultures.
Because ultimately, the road to the future of mobility will not only be paved by machines, but supported by people.
