Date:26/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/08/26/stories/2006082603520700.htm

Back Volvo to set up training school in Bangalore

Our Bureau

For operators of construction equipment

During the year ended December 2005, Volvo crossed Rs 1,000 crore-turnover and currently enjoys a share of around 14 per cent in the domestic construction equipment market

Hyderabad , Aug. 25

Volvo Construction Equipment, the wholly owned subsidiary of AB Volvo, is setting up a training facility with advanced simulation equipment to train operators of construction equipment to meet demands from the rapidly growing infrastructure sector in the country.

Announcing this here on Friday, the Volvo CE Vice-President, Mr Mrityunjaya Singh, said the facility would exclusively cater to the needs of construction equipment operators and would be in addition to the existing training facilities for truck and bus operators.

"Volvo CE has decided to invest up to $0.5 million on the facility coming up on 8.5 acres area adjacent to the existing training facilities at Volvo India's headquarters at Bangalore. We expect the training school to take off by August next year," he told newspersons.

`Comprehensive training'

Stating that the training school would be open to all and not just for Volvo construction equipment operators, Mr Singh said it would offer comprehensive training on construction equipment using advanced simulators. The duration of training would vary from three days to three-four weeks. The school could take up around six training sessions a year, training up to 200 operators per annum. The existing training school for truck and bus drivers could train around 11,000 operators so far.

Emerging opportunities

According to Mr Singh, Volvo CE is upbeat on the emerging opportunities for the construction equipment manufacturers in the country, with the industry growing at around 30 per cent per annum. During the year ended December 2005, the company crossed Rs 1,000-crore turnover and currently enjoys a share of around 14 per cent in the domestic construction equipment market.