Truck drivers may soon transform their rugged, weather-beaten image into a trained professional who can handle computers and navigate Google maps.
To help drivers keep pace with their changing work conditions — from automated vehicles, technology-enabled toll gates, online transactions to expectations of efficient and economical driving practices — the Hyderabad Goods Transport Association (HGTA) has set up a training facility offering technical as well as soft skills.
Meant for both new entrants and those already in the profession, the Transport Training and Development Institute (TTDI) will offer four courses of six months duration. These cover auto-mechanical skills, auto-electrical skills, transport operation skills and motoring skills. In addition, there will be soft skills courses on computers, spoken English, meditation, yoga, life skills and personality development.
HGTA president Pawan Kumar Gupta said drivers with this training could expect up to 40 per cent increase in salary, adding that the association itself would pay Rs 14,000 a month from the average Rs 10,000. He said the training would be made compulsory for drivers employed with HGTA member agencies, which currently employ at least 50,000 drivers.
The Institute, located at Autonagar on the city outskirts, will start functioning in September, with date tentatively set for September 15-25. The fee would be Rs 600 per course, but trainees can avail of stipend that covers the fee during the three-month practical training.
Gupta said that such training facilities were currently on offer from Ashok Leyland and at a few places like Vijayawada and Namakkal, in Tamil Nadu. He said thousands more of such institutes were needed to cater to the approximately 5 million drivers in the country. The institute received support from auto, tyre and lubricant manufacturers.
Basic qualification for the training course is a pass in 10th or 12th standard, and aged above 18.