BMW Group Thailand, represented by Khun Krisda Utamote, Director Corporate Communications, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Office of Vocational Education Commission under the Ministry of Education, led by Khun Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Education, for cooperation of the public and private sector subcommittee to drive forward the development of vocational workforce in Thailand.
Bangkok. BMW Group Thailand, one of the leading electric vehicle players in Thailand, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Office of Vocational Education Commission under the Ministry of Education, with a commitment to promote next-generation automotive skills – especially on electric vehicles – to eligible vocational students. According to the Thailand’s 20-year national strategy (2018-2037) on competitiveness enhancement in transport and logistics industry and services, which focuses on the shift from the conventional automotive industry to smart electric vehicle industry, as well as development of personnel with skills and expertise in response to the need of the automotive industry, the MOU serves as a common intention to produce and develop personnel in the vocation education, research and development of innovative technology for modern automotive industry, including technological knowledge sharing in support of the growth of modern automotive industry.
Mr. Alexander Baraka, President and CEO, BMW Group Thailand stated: “Following the continuous development of innovation and growing popularity of electric vehicles, BMW Group Thailand recognises the importance of fostering a skilled workforce specialised in electric vehicles, which will lead to a viable EV ecosystem in Thailand. We are also seeing high demand for skilled EV technicians in the country because it is a relatively new driving technology for the Thai automotive industry. We are committed to playing a part in this transition towards Thailand’s future vehicle electrification. As one of the leaders in automotive innovation, BMW Group Thailand also aims to enhance the skills of Thai vocational students to strengthen the foundation of the Thai automotive industry and to sustainably cater to the growing EV demand in the country through the BMW Service Apprentice Programme and the German-Thai Dual Excellence Programme, which has been held for over eleven years.”
Since 2012, BMW Group Thailand, the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce, and official BMW dealers have worked together to organise the BMW Service Apprentice Programme, which is a part of the German-Thai Dual Excellence Programme (GTDEE). Throughout the programme’s two-year period, participating vocational students are granted full scholarships and allowances, as well as theoretical and practical technical training at the BMW Training Centre.
From 2017 onwards, students who join and graduate from the two-year curriculum in BMW Service Apprentice Programme will receive a certificate of German dual vocational education and training abroad in Category A from the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The curriculum in this category is equivalent to the automotive mechatronics training and education requirements in Germany.
More importantly, BMW Group Thailand is the first organization in Thailand that conducts its apprentice program in Category A for every student joining the two-year program. Among the students graduating from BMW Service Apprentice Program, 74% are now working with BMW authorised dealers.
In alignment with automotive innovation and growing interest in electric vehicles in Thailand, vocational students who pass the on-job training will receive an internship opportunity with BMW certified technicians in High Voltage Diagnostic Specialist Certification (HVS) – which comprises five specialised programmes: automotive technician programme, senior automotive technician programme, automotive technician for specialised car models, and high-voltage automotive technician – ensuring high-level EV knowledge will be transferred to participating vocational students in the programme.
Over the past eleven years of the programme’s operation, 247 students, 11 batches from five vocational institutions: Chitralada Technology Institute, Don Bosco Technological College, Eastern College of Technology (E. Tech), Bang Kaeo Fa Vocational College, and Banphai Industrial and Community Education College have participated in the BMW Service Apprentice Programme while 107 students (8 batches) from Chitralada Technology Institute and Thai Austrian Technical College have taken part in the three diploma programmes under the German-Thai Dual Excellence Education Programme, totalling 354 vocational students. BMW Group Thailand aims to support learning opportunities for vocational students through both theoretical and practical training. The BMW Service Apprentice Programme is continuing its mission to elevate the Thai automotive industry to international standards through the incubation of a skilled workforce, as well as pushing for an effective transition to EVs and the development of EV technicians that matches future demand.
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