Chennai: Reaffirming its commitment to the Skill India Mission and the nation’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) today announced that five of its employees have been honoured with the Medallion for Excellence at the 48th WorldSkills Competition 2026, held in Shanghai, China, from 22nd to 27th September 2026. Competing across three skill categories – Mechatronics, Additive Manufacturing and Robot Systems Integration – TKM employees secured 5 of the 20 Medallions for Excellence won by India.
Recognized globally as the ‘Olympics of Skills’, the WorldSkills Competition is the world’s largest international vocational skills event. This year’s edition brought together over 1,400 young professionals from around 68 countries and regions in 64 different skills to demonstrate excellence in technical and trade skills. Since its inception in 1950, the competition has played a significant role in promoting vocational education, fostering international collaboration and elevating the recognition of skilled professions worldwide.
The following TKM employees were honoured with the Medallion for Excellence:
Mechatronics
• Deepu Mudigerepalya Srinivasa
• Jayanth Kariyappa
Additive Manufacturing
• Pavan Bhadravati Suresha
Robot Systems Integration
• Abhishek Somanna Shignalli
• Vinay Muttayya Hiremath
The Medallion for Excellence is awarded to competitors who demonstrate world-class skills and achieve performance scores just below the gold, silver and bronze medal positions. The recognition reflects the technical competence, dedication and perseverance of the participants on a global platform. TKM employees Mr. Tejas B.S. and Mr. Praveen Yankappa Hunakuntialso represented India in the highly competitive Auto Body Repair and Welding skill categories at WSC 2026.
Speaking on the achievement, Mr. G. Shankara, Chief Strategy Officer, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “The achievements of our employees at the WorldSkills Competition 2026 exemplify the spirit of excellence, innovation and continuous learning. Five of our employees winning Medallions for Excellence in 3 categories on a global stage is a proud moment for Toyota Kirloskar Motor and for the nation. Their success reinforces our commitment to nurturing world-class talent and supporting India’s journey towards becoming the global skill capital. We hope their journey inspires the next generation of young professionals to pursue excellence in technical and vocational careers.”
The success of these employees reflects TKM’s continued investment in skill development, advanced manufacturing capabilities and talent nurturing initiatives. It stands as a testament to Toyota’s philosophy of continuous improvement (Kaizen), excellence in craftsmanship and commitment to developing globally competitive professionals.
As part of its commitment to developing a world-class skilled workforce for the Indian automotive industry, TKM established the Toyota Technical Training Institute (TTTI) in 2007. The institute offers a rigorous three-year, free residential training programme to students from economically challenged backgrounds, primarily from rural Karnataka, with a focus on knowledge, skills and holistic development of body and mind. TTTI alumni have consistently excelled at IndiaSkills and WorldSkills competitions, including a bronze medal in Mechatronics and Prototype modelling at WorldSkills 2022 and multiple Medallions for Excellence at WorldSkills 2024 in Lyon, France.
Beyond TTTI, TKM has trained over 1,40,000 youths through its skill development initiatives, including partnerships with more than 120 ITIs and over 30 GTTCs, the Toyota Technical Education Program (TTEP) and Toyota Kaushalya. Through such initiatives aligned with national skill development goals, Toyota Kirloskar Motor remains committed to empowering talent, strengthening India’s manufacturing ecosystem and contributing towards a skilled workforce for a developed and self-reliant India.
