Translated/Edited by Soraya Abdullah
KUALA LUMPUR, October 18: The Ministry of Human Resources expects to continue to hold discussions with Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. Ltd. (Geely), which is spearheading the Automotive High Tech Valley (AHTV) project in Proton City, Tanjung Malim together with DRB-HICOM Bhd, towards a holistic and comprehensive talent development mechanism to produce skilled talents in the automotive field.
This would also cover the development of skills and expertise in the electric vehicles field to fulfill the demand for such skilled manpower.
In a statement here today, outlining the various initiatives taken by the government to promote skilled human capital in the automotive industry, through Technical and Vocational Education and
Training Programmes (TVET), the ministry said the AHTV is set to become a global automotive hub and a catalyst for economic spillover for the surrounding area.
The project will be expanded to include talent development, and research and development (R&D) involving investments amounting to RM32 billion.
The smooth running of this project through the continuous development and provision of skilled talents will be an example to investors of Malaysia’s efficient investment approach, the ministry said.
So far, in providing a comprehensive training programmes, the ministry has already built four Technical and Vocational Training and Educational Institutions (TVET) in the Klang Valley area alone, namely the Shah Alam Advanced Technology Training Centre (ADTEC), Kuala Lumpur Industrial Training Institute, Kuala Langat Industrial Training Institute, and Shah Alam Centre for Instructor & Advanced Skill Training (CIAST).
These institutions offer various TVET programmes, including in the field of automotive, from the Certificate level up to the Malaysian Advanced Skills Diploma (DLKM) level via the Malaysian Skills Certification System (SPKM).
“In an effort to intensify the TVET programmes to produce a skilled workforce in the automotive field, the existing TVET institutions will further strengthen their collaboration with industry players and explore new and potential cooperation,” the HR Ministry said.
“By establishing such cooperation and partnership, the industry players will be directly involved in the implementation of TVET programmes through the development of the curriculum, delivery of training, sharing of tools and expertise, as well as the recruitment of TVET trainees, who have been respectively trained to serve the professional needs of the industry.”
Apart from these institutions, there are several others under different ministries operating in the Klang Valley, and they include the Dusun Tua National Advanced Youth Vocational Institute (IKTBN), Kelana Jaya Community College, GIATMARA Hulu Langat and GIATMARA Hulu Selangor, which also provide TVET training opportunities in the automotive field to youths within the area.
In addition, the National Dual Training System (SLDN) and Academy in Industry (AiI) programmes are also ongoing to heighten the production of skilled workers in the automotive sector. Companies involved in these programmes will directly train the apprentices in various aspects of the automotive field to enable them to acquire the Malaysian Skills Certification.
–WE