6th October 2023 – Bermaz Auto is proud to announce the graduation of 159 students from the Bermaz Auto Apprenticeship Program, which took place on Friday, 8th September 2023. The 159 graduates come from 3 different technical training programs; 43 from the BAuto Apprenticeship Program; 21 graduates from BAuto Mechanic Program (BAMP) and 22 graduates from BAuto Body & Paint (BABP), a total of 116 graduates from Mazda Master Technical and Non-Technical. All graduates are currently employed under Bermaz Auto Berhad and will be placed at the service centres for the three brands the group operates: Mazda, Peugeot and Kia.
With the acclaimed recognition of Bermaz’s Apprenticeship Program, Mazda Saudi Arabia, the sole distributor of the Mazda brand under the Haji Hussein Alireza Co.
Ltd. in Saudi Arabia, took notice of the apprenticeship program’s success as Bermaz Auto is one of the Mazda distributors that offers apprenticeship program in Automotive and Body & Paint program.
Mazda Saudi had requested workforce support in Body & Paint through Mazda Corporation Japan. Through past collaboration with MARA Skills Institute (IKM) on the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP), Bermaz Auto has invited MARA to participate in the candidate submission and shortlisting.
The HHA representative conducted a virtual briefing and candidate selection. Only four candidates were selected through practical tests and interview sessions. Two candidates were from the Bermaz Auto Apprenticeship Program, and two additionally were selected by MARA from MARA Skills Institute (IKM). The selected candidates had begun their career journey in Saudi Arabia with Haji Hussein Alireza & Co. Ltd.
Aside from the BAuto Apprenticeship Program graduation, 29 staff were certified from the IMI EV Certification Level 3 and Level 4. Four staff members were certified with Level 3 certification, while 25 staff members received Level 4 certification from the UK Accreditation body, The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), through theoretical and practical assessment by UK EV Certified trainers.
Bermaz Auto, in the distribution and provision of after-sales services of three internationally renowned marques in Malaysia, namely Mazda, Kia and PEUGEOT brand, has been actively developing human capital by engaging staff in EV training at local and abroad programs.
As we undertake this high-risk, high-voltage repairs operation, Bermaz Auto has invested more than RM 10 million in training equipment for upskilling and to ensure safe procedural repairs.
BAuto Training School, as an EV Approved Centre by the Institute of the Motor Industry, UK, is geared up to certify more trainers and technicians to meet the high demands on EV vehicles.
“A career in the Automotive industry is a very interesting and challenging as we can see through the years of Technological advancement and design changes to suit the changing environment and consumer lifestyle. The recent emphasis is being put on clean and green mobility with high connectivity to meet the changing demands of consumers and the environment. Bermaz Auto Training School is the platform for the young generation to advance their knowledge and career in the Automotive industry through Malaysian Government Skill Certification (SKM) and the IMI UK, whose certificate is widely recognised by the industry globally,” said the Executive Chairman of Bermaz Auto Berhad, Tan Sri Dato Sri Ben Yeoh.
The apprenticeship program in Bermaz Auto started in 2010 with the Mazda brand. The Mazda Apprenticeship Program was first established at Lot 9, Mazda Petaling Jaya (PJ) Training Centre. The latest SkyActiv technology, solutions, vehicle networking and diagnosis from Japan have been imparted to the apprentices in a two-year program.
In 2015, a new milestone was achieved by Bermaz when the Mazda Body & Paint Program was made available to young Malaysians through another apprenticeship program at the Mazda Body & Paint division, Lot 14 in Glenmarie, Shah Alam that specialises in body repair and special paint from Mazda Japan. At the same time, a collaboration with Sompo Japan has been established to enhance the skill of painter and body repairer trainers.
In the same year, Bermaz Auto launched another program, namely the Mazda Mechanic Program (MMP), in the northern region at Kampung Gajah, Butterworth, and Penang to generate more general technicians. Followed by another Body & Paint Centre in Sungai Tiram, Penang in 2018.
This apprenticeship program is targeted and focused on high school graduates from lower-income families who are passionate in pursuing their study in Automotive Technical and Vocational Education Training. As the response has been overwhelming for MMP, in 2019, Bermaz set up another training centre in Alor Setar, Kedah to offer opportunities for the Northern region talents.
During the pandemic, a restructuring plan was in the works to review and manage multiple programs under one roof. The plan included reskilling, up-skilling, and electrification. Bermaz Auto established the new reskilling and EV Centre at Lot 6, Glenmarie in 2021. Meanwhile, all the apprenticeship programs have been renamed to Bermaz Auto, such as BAuto Mechatronic Training (BAMT) which replaced the Mazda Apprenticeship Program (MAP), BAuto Body & Paint Program (BAPP) replaced Body & Paint Program (BPP). Lastly, BAuto Mechanic Program (BAMP) replaced Mazda Mechanic Program (MMP). All training centres have also been renamed to Bermaz Auto Training School (BAuto Training School), to cater to all three brands under the Bermaz Auto Group.
BAuto Training School primarily provides three Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) apprenticeship programs certified by the Jabatan Pembangunan Kemahiran (JPK) and the Institute of The Motor Industry (IMI), United Kingdom. The training school is responsible for providing upskilling in electrification (EV) technology, starting with Safety Awareness, Autonomous Technology and reskilling certified by IMI and JPK, earning Bermaz Auto the Malaysia Education & TVET Awards in 2023.
Bermaz believes in creating a sustainable future for the youth by inspiring them to unlock their potential in the automotive industry and enhancing their lives with invaluable knowledge and practical skills. Individuals who possess the attractive combination of passion, ambition and drive to pursue a career in the after-sales sector can submit their resume to bts6@bermaz.com.my.
