BMW marks seventh year of vocational training
BMW Group Thailand has marked the seventh year of its BMW Service Apprentice Programme with a certificate presentation ceremony for 13 vocational students from Kanchanapisek Mahanakorn Technical College, Bangkaewfa Industrial and Community Education College and Chumphae Technical College.
The certificate presentation follows their recent graduation from the programme, which seeks to develop new talent for the automotive indu
The ceremony was held at the BMW Group Thailand Training Centre in Pathumthani province. After graduation, all the students will be recognised as qualified candidates for employment at authorised BMW dealers. This, therefore, reflects BMW Group’s commitment to sustainably shape the new benchmark of Thailand’s development in vocational education, the firm said.
César Badilla, director of after sales at the BMW Group Thailand, said: “The BMW Service Apprentice Programme shows the company’s commitment to Thai society as a contributing member by supporting sustainable development in education. We firmly believe that all graduates from this programme will be a major force in strengthening the potential of BMW Group Thailand and our steadily growing dealer network.
“The hands-on technical work onsite will enrich their experience, grooming them to become valuable resources to the automotive industry in the future while also driving Thailand’s progress towards the UNDP’s Sustainable Development Goals.”
The BMW Service Apprentice Programme was initiated in 2012 and recognised as part of the German-Thai Dual Excellence Education programme. The curriculum was instituted in partnership with the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce and the BMW dealers’ network to train the students with essential technical skills, the firm said.
Students will be awarded with full scholarships and allowances throughout the project, BMW said. To meet the criteria and qualifications required to enrol in the programme, all the candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 throughout the five semesters and must pass an examination jointly organised by the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce and BMW Group Thailand.
Over the two-year period, students are trained at the college at the vocational diploma level, while BMW theoretical knowledge and practical training are taught at the BMW Training Centre with on-the-job training and support provided by BMW certified technicians at authorised BMW dealerships.
Since its inception, the partnership has developed young technicians and skilled workers in the automotive industry, while also reinforcing Thailand’s potential as a global automotive production hub.