Out of the many accomplishments of Hyundai Motor India Limited over the recent years, the latest is the establishment a driving academy at Taramani, which is located in Chennai. The initiative has been facilitated by Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of HMIL in coalition with Institute of Road Transport (IRT). Success of an existing training facility called Hyundai Driving School, which has already trained about 400 underprivileged people, propelled the establishment of the new initiative. This latest opening by Hyundai Motor India Limited has been instituted as a part of Skill Development initiatives.
The event was attended by top company officials including Executive Director of HMIL, BW Ryu, and R. Sethuraman, Trustee at HMIF. "Hyundai is not only committed to making its vehicles one of the safest in the auto industry, but also committed to impart expert training to promote responsible driving. This academy will help new car buyers and the existing car owners to learn the nuances of driving in all terrains and conditions. Another important aim of launching this academy is to cater to the needy youth in the city, thereby enhancing their skills and gain employment. The existing Hyundai Driving School at the factory premises will continue to serve the rural youth in and around Kancheepuram”, said Ryu was quoted as saying.
What makes this project exquisite is the fact that underprivileged youth will be provided training free of cost. In addition, it will also train aspiring drivers from general populace at subsidised rates. As indicated, the academy will not only lay emphasis on teaching driving, but will also embrace a wide range of aspects, such as road safety, correct rules and regulations for safe driving. At the academy, students will also learn to drive in various road conditions like S bend, parking lanes, 4 track road, L bend, 2 track road, single lane driving, 8 bend lanes, and more. Other facets included in the comprehensive training structure are car maintenance, spoken English, lessons on etiquettes, yoga and basic finance.
The training will likely be of 15 hours, wherein 10 hours will be utilised for practical sessions and the remaining five will cover theory classes. As an added advantage, students will be allowed to customise training schedule according to their own convenience. All students will be assisted to obtain their driving licences, at the end of the training.
As a part of this initiative, the foundation has improvised on the IRT facilities by improving the class rooms and others, which costed around Rs. 15 lakh. Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIF) plans to invest Rs. 30 lakh in the initial year followed by Rs. 20 lakh in the subsequent years. The academy targets to train around 100 underprivileged boys and 100 students in general. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. R. Sethuraman, Trustee HMIF, said, “At HMIF, our initiatives are always focussed on the basic requirements of the community. Our existing driving school has already empowered more than 400 young men to acquire gainful jobs. Some trainees even have their own fleet of cars and are running successful transport businesses. I am sure, the newly launched Hyundai Driving Academy will empower hundreds more, in the days to come.”
