In a significant move to address the challenges of recruiting and retaining blue collar talent, Lucas TVS, in collaboration with Mercer, a leading American consulting firm, convened the Collar Council on April 9th, 2025. With blue collar workers making up a staggering 80% of the workforce in India, this initiative aimed to unlock strategies for sourcing, developing, and retaining these crucial employees.

The Round Table :

The council kicked off with a presidential address by Ms. Namita Venkatraman, CHRO of Lucas TVS, highlighting the persistent struggles in recruiting and retaining blue collar talent. Industry leaders from prominent companies such as Ashok Leyland, ZF, Flinders, Simpson, and Michelin shared their experiences and insights on effective strategies to drive business growth.

Globalization and the Blue Collar Workforce:

Mr. Arvind Balaji, Managing Director of Lucas TVS, emphasized the impact of globalization on the blue collar workforce, transforming the world into an interdependent hub for trade and technology. The discussion centered around identifying blue collar workers as “Big Blue Whales” and “Blue Fish Buddies,” and the challenges of budgeting to attract and retain these talents in the manufacturing and innovation sectors.

Innovative Strategies for Blue Collar Development

The council explored various policies to capitalize on blue collar innovation, including health and leave benefits, education, and encashments. Companies shared their measures to reduce attrition rates and effective strategies to hold the interest of blue collar workers. Some key takeaways included:

– Investing in blue backbone development

– Upskilling young blue collar workforce

– Creating blue collar innovation programs

The Way Forward

The Collar Council marked a significant step towards recognizing the importance of blue collar workers in driving business growth. By sharing best practices and innovative strategies, companies can work together to create a more sustainable and effective approach to managing their blue collar workforce. As the industry continues to evolve, it’s clear that the blue collar workforce will remain a vital component of India’s economic growth and development.