EV boom triggers battle for talent in automotive sector
NEW DELHI, MUMBAI : The race to dominate the electric vehicle (EV) market has triggered a dash for talent, as automakers and others in the ecosystem seek out experienced professionals to develop capabilities in green mobility. Industry executives said that companies are trying to attract and retain professionals skilled in battery management systems, fuel cells and core engineering with pay hikes, retention bonuses and counter-offers. Leading Indian automakers are introducing new EV models, and startups are coming up with innovative electric mobility solutions, even as the government works to reduce carbon emissions.
“Firms are willing to offer up to a 50% salary increase to top talent, but there is a 30-50% dropout rate because retention measures that firms take are robust," said Amol Gangaramany, a partner at ABC Consultants specializing in the automotive practice. “In the field of electrification, there are three critical dimensions: batteries, motors and high-voltage systems. Additionally, cell chemistry, module architecture and battery pack architecture play essential roles.
Talent in these areas is scarce, so we have to invest in training and developing it," said R. Velusamy, president of global product development at Mahindra & Mahindra. “We also engage international technical consultancies to recruit overseas candidates who are then trained for the Indian market.
Valuable talent with international experience is also available in India, as many international companies have R&D centres in Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad," he added. Headhunters said they are witnessing a surge in demand as automakers diversify their EV product lines. Technical talent from South Korea, Japan, the US, and Europe is being recruited,
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