Chennai – When EVs meet ITIs and robots become your lab buddies, you know it’s not sci-fi—it’s Stellantis.
In a move that’s less CSR checkbox and more Avengers-level origin story for India’s next-gen engineers, Stellantis India has teamed up with ASSIST Asia to launch Project INSPIRE—an electrifying initiative to prep 2,500 vocational students for the brave new world of Electric Vehicles, Mechatronics, and Robotics.
Launched at NITTTR Chennai on May 26, 2025, Project INSPIRE (which stands for Integrating Sustainability, Progress, Innovation, Readiness, and Employability—yes, they really did that) aims to do more than just teach kids how to wire a circuit board. It’s here to supercharge skillsets, upgrade mindsets, and certify over 200 Master Trainers—a.k.a. the Yodas of green tech.
“At Stellantis, we believe upskilling is not just noble—it’s non-negotiable,” said Shailesh Hazela, CEO & MD of Stellantis India, while possibly resisting the urge to shout “Avanti!” at the end.
With Chennai as the launchpad and Pune next in line, the program’s roadmap is as future-forward as a concept car with butterfly doors. The initiative is also targeting 75% job placement, 30% female participation, and a 20% bump in starter salaries—because nothing says “welcome to Industry 4.0” like a job that actually pays.
“We’re not just building skills—we’re building confidence, capability, and careers,” said Karunakaran K, Country Head at ASSIST Asia. “Also, robots. Definitely robots.”
And there’s more. Students won’t just be taught about torque and transistors—they’ll also get modules on green skills, digital and financial literacy, and how to not panic during job interviews (okay, maybe not the last one, but still).
Backed by a track record of upgrading schools and STEM labs around its Thiruvallur plant, Stellantis is fast becoming Tamil Nadu’s unofficial Minister of Skill Development. With Project INSPIRE, they’re taking it a notch higher—straight into the EV era.
It’s not just a training program—it’s a pit stop on the fast lane to India’s electric, automated, sustainable future. And if you’re a student in Chennai or Pune, you might want to start practicing your robot handshake. The future is hiring.
