Accenture, IIT Madras Partner to Skill Talent in SDV Domain

• Accenture partners with IIT Madras' CAAR to train SDV talent.
• Program targets OEMs and GCCs with AI, IoT, and AUTOSAR modules.
• Collaboration to meet the rising demand for digital automotive skills.

Accenture is partnering with the Centre of Excellence in Advanced Automotive Research (CAAR), a research institution created by the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), to provide specialized training programs via Accenture’s LearnVantage Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) Academy.

The initiative aims at automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Global Capability Centres (GCCs) seeking to cultivate talent for creating software-defined vehicles.

It seeks to address the increasing need for skilled experts in the SDV sector, closing the divide between conventional automotive positions and the digital expertise required to create automated driving solutions, advanced driver assistance technologies, electrical/electronic frameworks, connectivity, and infotainment systems.

The curriculum, tailored for automotive technology professionals at OEMs and GCCs, features specialized modules, engaging learning settings, and expert guidance provided through a combination of self-directed and IIT Madras instructor-led classes.

The modules encompass advanced Internet of Things, embedded systems and software, vehicle safety, communication protocols, cybersecurity, edge computing, cloud virtualization, and industry standards such as Automotive Open System ARchitecture (AUTOSAR) and Automotive SPICE (Software Process Improvement and Capability Determination).

An Accenture Research estimate suggests that the market for software-defined digital services is expected to grow to $3.5 trillion and represent 40 percent of worldwide automotive industry revenues by 2040. To address the skills gap, Accenture LearnVantage initiated an SDV Academy providing a tailored training program for the sector.

Kishore Durg, Global Lead of Accenture LearnVantage, said, “As vehicles transform into sophisticated software-defined machines, the automotive industry requires digital-native talent skilled in AI, machine learning, cybersecurity, and safety systems. Our collaboration with CAAR at IIT Madras is a game-changer, focused on transforming talent at scale for OEMs and GCCs in the sector. Together, we are committed to rapidly upskilling and reskilling talent to embrace technological advancements and develop the interdisciplinary skills needed for the SDV landscape.”

CAAR seeks to connect academic research with commercial applications in the automotive sector by offering cutting-edge technology, expert talent, and resources.

Also Read: IIT Madras Zanzibar Launches UG Course in Chemical Engineering

Krishnan Balasubramanian, Professor in charge of the Centre for Advanced Automotive Research (CAAR), IIT Madras, said, “The academia-industry partnership enabled by the Centre of Excellence CAAR is a unique model that creates a win-win for all parties and enables upskilling of the next-generation workforce in new areas such as SDVs. We are delighted to be partnering with Accenture’s LearnVantage.”

Thiruppathy (Thiru) Srinivasan, Chief Executive Officer of CAAR, IIT Madras, said, “The automotive industry is rapidly evolving with the adoption of electrification, connectivity, and advanced smart technologies. The high-growth software-defined vehicle space demands both new digital skills and a larger pool of skilled professionals, making upskilling a top priority. Our collaboration with Accenture LearnVantage offers a synergistic platform to bridge the talent gap by equipping professionals with the competencies needed to thrive and meet the industry’s evolving needs.”

Accenture and IIT Madras have a current partnership via their joint Centre of Excellence (CoE), which conducts research projects and creates intellectual properties in autonomous robotics systems (ARS), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), digital twin systems (DTS), and cutting-edge automotive technologies.

Moreover, TalentSprint, a frontrunner in deep tech education and now part of Accenture LearnVantage, offers an advanced postgraduate certification program in applied data science and machine learning in collaboration with IIT Madras.