Since being established in 2010 and taking on the Mazda distributorship, Bermaz Auto has had its own training programs to ensure that its growing business would have a ready pool of skilled personnel as well as also to contribute to building up the workforce in the local auto industry.
The company 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.
Each year, hundreds of students have graduated from the Bermaz Auto Apprenticeship Program, with most recent batch numbering 159. The graduates come from 3 different technical training programs – 43 from the BAuto Apprenticeship Program; 21 from the BAuto Mechanic Program; and 22 from BAuto Body & Paint, with a total of 116 graduates qualifying 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 represents: Mazda, Peugeot and Kia.
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.
Training for EVs is an important area now and with some of the products of the three brands it represents being electrified, proper training is essential, particularly for high-risk, high-voltage repair operations. For such training, Bermaz Auto has invested more than RM10 million in training equipment for upskilling and to ensure safe procedural repairs.
The 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.
The Bermaz Apprenticeship Program is today recognised for its excellence and this caught the eye of fellow distributor, Mazda Saudi Arabia which is operated by Haji Hussein Alireza Co. Ltd. in the kingdom. As such, Mazda Saudi had requested workforce support in Body & Paint training through Mazda Corporation Japan.
Through past collaboration with MARA Skills Institute (IKM) on the Technical Intern Training Program, 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 IKM. The selected candidates had begun their career journey in Saudi Arabia with Haji Hussein Alireza & Co. Ltd.
“The 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 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.
“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,” he said.