IKBN Students Graduate From Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s Apprentice Training Centre

Recently Mercedes-Benz Malaysia awarded an inaugural batch of students from the National Youth Skills Training Institute (IKBN) with a certificate of completion to mark their successful training at its Apprentice Training Centre in Shah Alam. 

The 11 graduates who are aged 19 to 25 years underwent a three-month training programme with intensive product and systems instruction, covering both theory and practical aspects. The training also included soft skill development with retail experience in a workshop environment as well as lessons in maintenance repairs, electrical, trouble-shooting and diagnosing malfunctions among others. 

The programme itself began in October 2015 and was the fruition of a year-long three-way discussion and preparation period between Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and IKBN. Prior to that, the programme was formalised under a Memorandum of Understanding that was signed in August 2015. 

At the ceremony, Dr Claus Weidner, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, said: “Through the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Apprentice Training Centre, we are proud to witness the graduation of this first batch of 11 participants from the National Youth Skills Training Institute, and we congratulate them for their successful completion of the training programme,”

“It is fulfilling to see that within just four months of signing the MOU with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, we have our first batch of graduates. Training and development of youth is important, and certainly part of the Mercedes-Benz DNA. We hope to continue supporting the advancement of skills of Malaysian youth in whatever way possible.”

Also at the event, YB Encik Khairy Jamaluddin added: “We are pleased to congratulate our pilot batch of graduates. They are a testament of the smart partnerships the Ministry of Youth and Sports has with industry partners such as Mercedes-Benz Malaysia. We hope they will do well and positively contribute to the workforce.”

Through its Apprentice Training Centre, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is currently in discussions with IKBN to explore other ways to enhance the programme going forward.