VinFast Auto India, a subsidiary of global EV leader VinFast, has welcomed its first batch of 200 locally hired professionals at its upcoming EV manufacturing facility in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. The plant is projected to create up to 3,500 jobs over the next five years, with hiring planned in phases to match the facility’s expansion.
The new recruits are undergoing comprehensive training to meet global automotive standards, guided by Vietnamese experts and seasoned Indian professionals. This initiative is aligned with the Tamil Nadu government’s flagship skilling programme, Naan Mudhalvan, which supports fast-track recruitment and targeted skill development. The program plays a crucial role in empowering local youth with industry-ready skills tailored to the evolving demands of the EV sector.
Supporting this vision, Guidance Tamil Nadu’s WorkLabs Cell serves as a dedicated unit focused on fostering industry-academia collaboration. WorkLabs facilitates strategic linkages between academic institutions and industry talent requirements, ensuring a seamless and future-ready talent pipeline, from classrooms to shop floors. The entire onboarding initiative was executed with active coordination between the District Collector’s Office, Polytechnique colleges, VinFast India’s Plant Directors, and senior leadership.
This milestone follows a large-scale recruitment drive held in April this year, which saw participation from 344 diploma students across the region. With support from District Collector Thiru. K. Elambahavath, I.A.S. and the Tamil Nadu Industries Department, VinFast India has adopted a collaborative workforce model by partnering with local institutions to identify, train, and onboard young diploma holders. The selection process included a two-month institutional training programme led by the District Administration, followed by assessments and interviews.
In partnership with government authorities and skill development bodies, VinFast rolled out a structured hiring and training programme focused on local communities. VinFast’s workforce strategy follows a hybrid model of 80:20, where 80% of the plant workforce comprises freshers or trainees from local communities, while the remaining 20% includes experienced Indian and expatriate professionals from leading OEMs.
Speaking on the plant recruitment, Mr. Pham Sanh Chau, CEO of VinFast Asia, said, “We deeply appreciate the support of District Collector Mr. K. Elambahavath and the Industries Department, whose collaborative approach has been vital in translating our talent development goals into reality. As we ramp up our operations in India, we are proud to invest in the people and potential of Tamil Nadu. With varied employment opportunities, this facility stands as a catalyst for regional growth as well as in building a resilient, inclusive, and high-performance manufacturing ecosystem that can serve both Indian and global markets.”
The Thoothukudi plant stands as a strategic pillar in VinFast’s Asia growth story. This initial phase of hiring underscores the company’s broader commitment to driving regional employment and advancing industrial development in impactful ways. With its commitment to skill-building, local partnerships, and sustainable growth, VinFast continues to chart a strong path forward – one that puts people at the heart of progress. As the plant scales up towards its installed production capacity of 150,000 vehicles annually, it marks a key milestone in the company’s long-term commitment to the Indian market and the broader goal of building a robust, future-ready EV ecosystem.
VinFast is preparing to launch its first two products in India – the VF 6 and VF 7 premium electric SUVs. To support this, the company is accelerating operational readiness at its Thoothukudi plant ensuring both production capacity and skilled workforce are in place. At the same time, VinFast aims to establish an omni present dealership network and develop EV infrastructure, including charging stations, to accelerate EV adoption in India.
