The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) hosted the inaugural edition of the Automotive HR Youth Workshop 2026 in New Delhi under the aegis of the SIAM Human Capital Group. The workshop, themed “Driving the Future: Youth, Skills & the Next Era of Indian Automotive Workforce,” brought together industry leaders, CHROs, young HR professionals, academia, and mobility experts to deliberate on the future of talent and skills in India’s rapidly transforming automotive sector.
The day-long programme focused on preparing the next generation workforce for the evolving mobility ecosystem shaped by technological advancements, electrification, digitalisation, and changing workplace expectations. Through a series of engaging discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions, the workshop explored emerging skill requirements, career pathways, leadership development, and workforce resilience in the automotive industry.
The event featured dedicated sessions on “Future Skills & Best Practices,” “How to Build Careers in Automotive,” and a panel discussion on “Redesigning Automotive Careers for the Next Generation.” Discussions highlighted the growing importance of industry-academia collaboration, continuous learning, and building inclusive and high-performance workplace cultures to attract and retain young talent.
Dr Natwar Kadel, Chairman, SIAM Human Capital Group and Vertical Head – People Strategy at Hyundai Motor India, said the automotive industry is undergoing rapid transformation and the younger workforce is already playing a critical role in shaping its future. He emphasised that adaptability, learning agility, and the willingness to continuously evolve would define the next generation of industry leaders.
Madhuri Mehta, Co-Chairman, SIAM Human Capital Group and CHRO at Hero MotoCorp, noted that the automotive ecosystem is witnessing one of its most significant transitions. She underlined the need for sustained reskilling and capability building initiatives to ensure employees remain aligned with the changing demands of modern automotive manufacturing and mobility solutions.
Prabhu Nagaraj, Vice Chairperson of Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC), Co-Chair of the SIAM Skilling Group, and Operating Officer at Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, stressed that collaboration between industry, academia, and policymakers would be essential to equip young professionals with industry-relevant capabilities and improve employability in the future mobility landscape.
A special highlight of the workshop was an inspirational session by former Indian hockey player Mir Ranjan Negi, whose journey inspired the film Chak De! India. Sharing insights on perseverance, teamwork, and leadership, he drew parallels between sports and corporate life, emphasising the importance of discipline, resilience, and leading with conviction during challenging situations. The workshop also saw participation from senior leaders representing organisations such as Euler Motors, Suzuki Motorcycle India, JSW MG Motor India, TVS Motor Company, JK Tyre & Industries, Deloitte India, and Omega Seiki Mobility, among others, reflecting the industry-wide focus on building a future-ready automotive workforce.
