Sunday, July 01, 2018

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Training Academy Announces the Graduation of the Automotive Mechatronic Training Class of 2018


The Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) Training Academy recently celebrated the graduation of its newest group of apprentices from its Automotive Mechatronic Training programme. This year, 26 apprentices graduated from the MBM Training Academy and this makes it a total of 827 globally certified apprentices that have graduated from the academy since the establishment of training programs here in Malaysia.


This Three-year vocational training course is a course accepted globally at all authorised Mercedes-Benz service outlets. The course is 70 percent practical-based – including on the job training - and 30 per cent theory-based modules. 

MBM President and CEO, Dr Claus Weidner said whilst addressing all attendees at the MBM Training ceremony said, “The development of our nation’s youth and providing them with a bright career path continues to be a passion for us at Mercedes-Benz Malaysia. We are very proud to see our young talents transform from trainees into globally certified technicians. These graduates form the foundation of our
network and enable us to deliver the Best Customer Experience, an assurance that all Mercedes-Benz customers and fans have come to trust. We look forward to nurturing more Malaysian youth and sustainably"

All 26 graduates received three certifications; the Mercedes-Benz Automotive Mechatronic Training Certificate; the Mercedes-Benz Qualified Maintenance Technician Certificate; and the National Dual Training System (NDTS) Certificate. The NDTS certificate is equivalent to the Malaysia Skills Certificate Level 3, and it is a certification recognised by the Department of Skills Development under the Ministry of Human Resources, Malaysia.


Talent, skills and hard work during the course is also rewarded to an individual in this course. The MBM Training Academy has its own award for best student and this time around, the Class of 2018 Best Student Award was presented to Wong Shiong Heng (pictured above). The 23 year-old from Negeri Sembilan was affirmed for his outstanding achievement over the three-year training period in the areas of academics, performance, attendance and attitude. 

“To deliver the Best Customer Experience is to take our customers on an unparalleled journey of premium care and the best services. A key element of this journey is ensuring every Mercedes-Benz customer and vehicle is cared for by a team of highly qualified consultants, diagnosticians and technicians. What sets us apart is our ability to stay a step ahead by ensuring that the Training Academy is constantly facilitated with the latest technologies and processes, and is always being reviewed to ensure it is the best programme we can offer. This is what makes the MBM Vocational Training programme a benchmark worldwide,” said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Vice President, Customer Services, Heinrich Schromm explaining the need for training skilled technicians from the start.

After the completion of this three-year training programme, the apprentices will be absorbed into MBM’s extensive network of Autohauses and service centres nationwide. With a variety of career opportunities available, an example of a possible career progression could include apprentices begining their career as a Qualified System Technician, and possibly be promoted to a Certified Diagnosis Technician or Certified Service Advisor. 

There is an ever ready need for newly graduated technicians at these service centres as there are new centres opened up or those that are expanding and there may be those who seek opportunities elsewhere. 

But in the case of a multi-national company like Mercedes-Benz, one will have the opportunity to grow and move upwards with the marque. 
“The formal education phase may have ended with the graduation ceremony, however learning never stops which is why we continue to provide up-skilling courses throughout the career path of our people in line with our life-long learning philosophy. Further professional development have seen our graduates obtain the C-management certification and move on to become workshop managers, senior managers and dealer principles in the network or even pursue management roles at the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia headquarters,” shared Dr Weidner.

The MBM Training Academy started to take in 60 trainees per year starting in 2017 for the three-year programme called the new Advanced Modern Apprenticeship. Based on training guidelines set by Daimler AG, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, the Training Academy maintains a trainee ratio of one trainer to 15 trainees to ensure optimum quality in the delivery of its modules. The three-year course comprises a 70 percent practical-based curriculum, which includes 30 per cent on-the-job-training, and 30 per cent theory-based curriculum. Trainees are exposed to a wide range of skills including presentation, analysing, decision making, system thinking, mentoring, self-discipline and team work skills to prepare them for the working world. This could be one of the most comprehensive school for those that would like to venture into the automotive industry if they are interested in this career path.

The July 2018 intake for the MBM Training Academy is open
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia along with the dealer network invests over RM100,000 per trainee for the implementation of the training programme. The next intake of trainees will begin in July 2018. Interested applicants can submit their application forms via http://www.mb4.me/apprenticeship

(centre) Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, President & CEO, Dr Claus Weidner; (tenth from left) Vice President, Customer Services, Passenger Cars,  Heinrich Schromm; and  (eighth from left) Senior Manager, Training, Dominic Wells, celebrating the MBM Training Academy graduating class of 2018.

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