Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has awarded 11 students from the National Youth Skills Training Institute (IKBN) with a certification of completion following a successful training stint at its Apprentice Training Centre in Shah Alam.
The graduates, aged 19 to 25 years, underwent a three-month intensive product and systems training which included both theory and practical aspects. During the training programme, the graduates acquired soft skills through their retail experience in a workshop environment as well as training in maintenance repairs, electrical, trouble-shooting and other relevant topics.
“Through the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Apprentice Training Centre, we are proud to witness the graduation of this first batch of 11 participants from the National Youth Skills Training Institute, and we congratulate them for their successful completion of the training programme. It is fulfilling to see that within just four months of signing the MOU with the Ministry of Youth And Sports, we have our first batch of graduates. Training and development of youth is important to us, and certainly part of the Mercedes-Benz DNA. We hope to continue supporting the advancement of skills of Malaysian youth in whatever way possible,” said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia President and CEO, Dr Claus Weidner.
The programme which commenced in October 2015, was the result of a year-long discussion and preparation between Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and IKBN. The programme was formalised under a Memorandum of Understanding, signed in August 2015.
“We are pleased to congratulate our pilot batch of graduates. They are a testament of the smart partnerships the Ministry of Youth and Sports has with industry partners such as Mercedes-Benz Malaysia. We often discuss up-skilling and the development of Malaysia’s youth, and today, we are very proud to witness the success that has resulted from this. Our youth, such as the graduates we have here today, are the future of our country and we hope that they will do well and positively contribute to the workforce,”said Minister of Youth and Sports, YB Encik Khairy Jamaluddin.
Speaking about his experience from the pilot programme, Dinesh A/L Guna Saigaran, aged 23 shared, “This is a very good programme for our generation and has many benefits. It has taught us how to perform engine maintenance and specification. I highly recommend other IKBN students and our younger generation to participate in this programme.” From the same programme, Mohamad Rizal Bin Phaper, aged 22, spoke about learning soft skills, he explained, “The course has given me more confidence, and I am now able to speak and communicate better in English.”
In continuing to develop the nation’s youth, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, through its Apprentice Training Centre, is currently in discussions with IKBN to explore further opportunities of enhancing the programme. Established over 30 years ago, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s Apprentice Training Centre has to date trained more than 700 apprentices, all of whom have been absorbed into the luxury marque’s nationwide dealership network.
