Bermaz Auto recently celebrated the graduation of 159 students from the Bermaz Auto Apprenticeship Program.
The 159 graduates come from three different technical training programs, namely the BAuto Apprenticeship Program, the BAuto Mechanic Program (BAMP), and the BAuto Body & Paint (BABP).
According to Bermaz, all graduates are currently employed under Bermaz Auto Berhad and will be placed at the service centres of the three brands the group operates – Mazda, Peugeot, and Kia.
With the 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, while four staff members were certified with Level 3 certification.
Meanwhile, 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.
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.
