Aligning with the government’s National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) 2030 policy, national automaker Proton has inked a partnership and collaboration agreement with the Department of Manpower (JTM).
Through which, both Proton and JTM, the latter being part of the Ministry of Human Resources (Kesuma), aims to upskill students and existing employees. This will be done through the Proton ADTEC Structure Training Program and Job Placement initiatives.
This collaboration was officiated by YBRS Tuan Sutekno Bin Ahmad Belon, Deputy Sec-Gen of Kesuma. Three Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) were signed by JTM Sec-Gen YB Datuk Rospiagos bin Taha with Proton, Proton Vendors Association (PVA) and Proton Edar Dealers Association (PEDA) during the recent Carnival TVET held at ADTEC Melaka on Oct 3.
According to Proton, this partnership has the potential to benefit its vendors and dealers through training and placement, module development, apprenticeship and certification programs. This comes on top of Proton benefitting with the ability to elevate skills amongst its existing employees, students as well as instructors from JTM institutions.
To extend and expand the initiatives, the collaboration will also grant access to 33 other JTM Training Institutions (ILJTM) which encompasses 10 clusters, including electrical maintenance, engineering services, product manufacturing and ICT.
Critically, the collaboration aims to optimise resources to ensure training aligns with current industrial needs. It includes pooling expertise to develop training modules that address technological changes, co-developing professional programs that fosters future capacity building talents, and leverage resources such as machinery, facilities, instructors, specialised expertise and more.
For Proton, this means a continuous supply of skilled workers and technicians to its ecosystem, ongoing training and certification, and improvements plus upgrades of the Proton DOJO centre and training modules.
Following the signing ceremony, 16 ADTEC Melaka students received internship offer letters for up to six months, while 5 lecturers received letter of job attachments for a month with Proton, PVA and PEDA. Said interns will undergo on-the-job training at the Proton and Geely plant, with an optional job placement at Proton’s manufacturing or engine plant.
Concurrently, five existing Proton employees were selected to participate in the modular program given by ADTEC Melaka, with a target to reach a total of 600 employees in phases. These programs cover automotive, computer and telecommunication technologies.
Additionally, the same ceremony also featured a transfer of training equipment, which included one engine unit, one transmission unit and two units of the Proton X50, to ADTEC Melaka on the same day. Notably, the name for this rebranded cooperation program between ADTEC Melaka and the carmaker was revealed as the Proton Advanced Automotive Technology Institute.
"By investing in our youth through targeted training and development, we are not just cultivating skilled workers, we are laying the foundation for a sustainable future in the automotive sector that benefits our entire ecosystem,” expressed Roslan Abdullah, CEO of Proton Edar, during the ceremony mentioned.
“These propositions aim to bridge the skills gap and enhance the social mobility of skilled workers who are trained, particularly through fair compensation. The focus to develop high-value, skilled and competitive talents also enable them to compete on an international level,” added Kesuma's Tuan Sutekno Bin Ahmad Belon.
