MERCEDES-Benz Malaysia (MBM) proudly celebrates its latest graduates of its Mercedes-Benz Advanced Modern Apprenticeship (AMA) Program.
A total of 38 students underwent stringent training to successfully graduate from the three-year program, resulting in their certification as globally-recognised Mercedes-Benz technicians.
These new professionals are set to join the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Retail Network, which boasts a base of over 1,000 service personnel.
The graduates will be offered job opportunities within the company's service network for the subsequent four years. The investment per student over the three-year program is RM100,000.
"I would like to extend my sincere thanks to MBM for the incredible opportunity I have had over the past three years. This program has provided me with the skills and knowledge essential for navigating the dynamic automotive industry. I am appreciative of the guidance offered by our knowledgeable trainers and excited for the next phase of my journey," said Fakharuddin Abu Hanipah, the recipient of the Best Student Award from the graduating class of 2023.
Fakharuddin was voted the best student by all the vocational trainers for excelling in every aspect over the three-year course. This includes punctuality, work efficiency, proper use of tools, knowledge, safety consciousness, behaviour, interpersonal skills, work attitude and responsibility.
MBM also sees 42 new apprentices this year selected in September to join the AMA Program after a vigorous evaluation process.
Five of these apprentices come from the Montfort Boys Town which MBM undertook a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing with last year.
"At Mercedes-Benz, we believe in the continuous development of an individual, training them to be self-reliant and driven for perfection. Our goal is to nurture young Malaysians, equipping them with the skills they need to excel in the automotive industry while ensuring their careers remain future-proof," said Mercedes-Benz Cars Malaysia president and chief executive officer Amanda Zhang.
"Through this programme, we build a skilled workforce dedicated to delivering the best customer experience and vehicle quality. Education is central to our commitment to excellence," Amanda added, who is also Mercedes-Benz Cars SEA II's region head.
"MBM's modern apprenticeship program since 1984 has produced over 900 apprentices who now serve in various positions across different specialisations within the brand's authorised dealer network," said Mercedes-Benz Cars Malaysia and SEA II customer services vice president Edmin Naidoo.
"It makes us proud that the graduation of 38 apprentices underlines our contribution to the nation's demand for highly-skilled talents in the automotive industry. This achievement is pivotal as we continue to solidify our network and ensure unparalleled customer experience across all Mercedes-Benz dealerships in Malaysia," Edmin added.
The AMA is said to provide the best-in-class training module in developing the best automotive talents. It is a three-year training programme with full scholarship under the National Dual Training System (NDTS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Resources' Department of Skills Development (JPK).
Beneficiaries of this full scholarship receive a monthly allowance of RM800 for the duration of the three-year program as well as RM500 yearly allowance covering uniforms and safety shoes.
Students go through the latest technical knowledge and diagnostic skills in line with the advanced technology of Mercedes-Benz products during the course. They will receive three certifications upon completion: the Mercedes-Benz Automotive Mechatronic Training Certificate, Mercedes-Benz Qualified Maintenance Technician Certificate, and National Dual Training System Certificate which is the equivalent to the Malaysian Skills Certificate Level 3 (SKM 3), leading to a guaranteed four-year employment.
