In a major move, Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) and Ola have announced a collaboration to train aspiring drivers-partners. Called the ‘Maruti Ola Training Program’, the company aims to benefit 40,000 individuals/ Ola partner-drivers in safe driving over a period of three years. This partnership will not only provide entrepreneurship opportunities for aspiring drivers-partners, but make urban transportation safe, convenient and reliable as well.
In initial phase of the driving training programme, the company will cover four major cities – Delhi NCR, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad. Gradually, it will be rolled out in Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad. Under this collaboration, Ola will work as a technology platform to help create opportunities for trained drivers by providing them access to financing, infrastructure and continuous revenue. On the other hand, Maruti Suzuki will help Ola partner-drivers/individuals get commercial license and vehicle financing for purchasing their own car, after the completion of their course.
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This 30-days driving training will include a pre-and post-assessment tests to judge the driving skills of the trainees. The classroom sessions will have all basic requirements including vehicle controls & mechanisms, rules and markings, road signage, maintenance & fuel efficiency tips, , driving in difficult conditions and traffic laws.
Besides this, there will be soft skills training that will make them learn the importance of positive attitude, etiquette and good manners to instil safe driving habits, interactive case studies on the effect of bad driving habits, grooming tips and become a good road user and responsible driver. The practical training sessions cover intensive training on safe and efficient driving, risk perception, defensive driving techniques, pre-checks before starting to drive, driving in difficult conditions, emergency handling and rules of the road.
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Commenting on the association, Mr. R S Kalsi, Executive Director, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki, said, “Maruti Suzuki is committed to promote quality driving training in the country. Studies show that ‘driver’s fault’ is the biggest reason of road accidents. We have evolved a comprehensive training program comprising simulators, theory and practical sessions, imparted through 370 Maruti Driving Schools and six IDTRs across India. The curriculum, besides driving skills, offers soft skills like grooming, manners, etiquette that develop a positive attitude among the drivers. We are glad that through this partnership with Ola, we will be able to expand quality driving training while creating opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. . We target to train 40,000 individuals over 3 years.”
Pranay Jivrajka, Chief Operating Officer, Ola said, “Mobility in India is a huge need and the industry has the potential to empower aspiring individuals from all walks of life to become micro-entrepreneurs. This partnership falls in line with Ola’s goal of skilling 5 million drivers in the next 5 years and continue to build a conducive ecosystem for them to grow as entrepreneurs. We are delighted to work with a trusted Indian brand like Maruti to create a unique solution to skill tens of thousands of aspiring driver-entrepreneurs realize their dreams. This is yet another initiative from Ola towards creating a robust and balanced driver ecosystem; which is vital to realize our mission of creating mobility for a billion Indians.”
