“The automotive industry is a living, breathing organism that is constantly evolving, and the people who work in it must be flexible, adaptable, and innovative to keep up.” – Bill Ford

The automobile sector in India has been an unstoppable force, demonstrating remarkable resilience despite challenging market conditions in the last two years. It is witnessing a shift in consumer preferences, evidenced by the increasing demand for two-wheelers, four-wheelers, and EVs. And, with the growth of a sector comes an increasing demand for talent. As per Decoding Jobs India 2023 report by Taggd, the automobile industry will lead talent hiring with a 30% hiring intent in 2023,

India’s government is actively striving to create a business-friendly atmosphere to facilitate further growth in the automotive industry. This includes providing opportunities for both skilled and unskilled workers, as well as attractive incentives for investors.

The government has introduced an infusion of approximately $3.5 billion in incentives between 2021 and 2026 to bolster the production and export of clean technology vehicles. The government has also provided Production-Linked Incentives (PLI) to certain automobile companies to stimulate local vehicle production and promote fresh investments.

More than 100 advanced technologies, such as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Electronic Control Units (ECU) for safety, Advanced Driver Assist Systems, BSVI-compliant Flex-Fuel Engines, and E-Quadricycles have been added under the Production-Linked Incentive scheme for automobiles.

“There is a noticeable, long-term boost in job creation due to the government’s focus on this sector.”

The 2021-2025 period is set to be a defining era for the automotive industry, as it transitions from manual and mechanical systems to more automated and electronic ones. The demand for convenience services has increased the need for digital skills across all branches of the automotive industry.

Furthermore, with the implementation of the government’s Production-Linked Incentive schemes, there has been a surge in job opportunities for engineers, technicians and consultants. The increased demand for vehicles has opened up multiple openings for fresh graduates, intermediate and mid-level professionals alike.

Companies aim to hire engineers with expertise in mechanical, electrical, and robotics engineering. In addition, they are seeking professionals with various skill sets for their Research & Development (R&D), Tooling, Purchase, Tailoring, Operations, Stores, Administration, Finance departments, and HR.

Other roles in demand include system engineers, program managers, electronic and mechatronic engineers with expertise in fuel cells, AUTOSAR architecture, battery management system, and system integration.

Companies are approaching the right talent with targeted recruitment to help create a dynamic workforce. They are also focusing on employee needs, such as upskilling, better engagement, and work-life balance.

So, whether you are entering the auto industry or have significant experience, I present to you two pieces of advice to help you get noticed and strengthen your position in this sector.

1. References: References from experienced professionals in the community can help you get noticed more quickly and make connections that lead to job opportunities.
2. Communities: As candidates, you can benefit from connecting with communities in the automotive sector and career circles to find employment opportunities and gain insight into current industry trends.

If you are consistent in your efforts, the right company will definitely find you.

“The automotive industry is a reflection of society, and the people who work in it are as diverse as the cars they build.” – Mary T. Barra

Pankaj Bansal is the Co- founder of Taggd and Work Universe (a Fund investing in jobs and work tech). He is a non-executive director at Karmayogi Bharat (Capacity building or Civil Servants) and many other startups. Follow him on Twitter at @pankajbansalPB.