Mercedes-Benz apprenticeship programme for Montfort students

Oct 14, 2022

 
By Gwen Manickam
Montfort Boys Town recently signed its first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) at the Grand Hotel to cultivate young, local talents for its world-renowned Advanced Modern Apprenticeship programme starting in 2023.

The two-year MoU kicks off with a ‘Train the Trainer’ exercise where MBM will provide technical skills and expertise training on its hybrid and electric cars, to the Montfort Boys Town trainers, and they will, in turn, train their second-year students from the automotive department.

Montfort Boys Town direct, Bro Robin Devasagayam said, “These cars are expensive and we do not have any. For this programme, either our staff will go to an MBM outlet or they may bring the cars and conduct the lessons at our premises.

“These sessions are limited modules given as a bonus to the students. It will be taught outside their two-year Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia (vocational education) syllabus.”

The other project is the three-year Advanced Modern Apprenticeship made available for Montfort students upon completion of their Sijil Kemahiran examination.

The Advanced Modern Apprenticeship by MBM’s Training Academy programme is a course that covers a wide range of globally approved syllabuses and training guidelines by Mercedes-Benz Global Training with Mercedes- Benz Competence elements.

The programme incorporates International Qualifications up to level three and is recognised by the skills development department under the Human Resources Ministry. A pre-enrolment assessment will be conducted for the Montfort students, and those who pass the assessment may apply for the programme. The apprentice programme will create a new generation of skilled and competent staff. Students who make it will be bound for the full scholarship programme or will have to provide payment in lieu if they break the contract. They will be full-time trainees at MBM and receive a monthly allowance of RM800 throughout the programme. They are also guaranteed employment upon graduation, with a minimum salary in the first year.

Upon completion of their diagnostic level qualifications, alumni of these CSR initiative will also have opportunities with MBM to progress into management positions within the customer services department.