KUALA LUMPUR, 24 OCTOBER 2024 — Sime Kansai Paints Sdn Bhd (Sime Kansai Paints) and Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) have taken a significant step toward transforming technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Malaysia with their recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Witnessed by Deputy Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Bin Hamidi, and the Chairman of MARA, Datuk Wira Dr Asyraf Wajdi bin Dato’ Dusuki, this partnership is set to raise the standards of education and practical training at Institut Kemahiran Mara (IKM) outposts nationwide, contributing to Malaysia’s National TVET Policy 2030.
The local automotive sector has experienced strong growth over the year, as evidenced by the Malaysian Automobile Association (MAA) increasing its car sales forecast for 2024 by 3.38%, following strong sales in the first half of the year. Unfortunately, this remains moot should the industry’s need for skilled workers remain unmet. The Malaysia Automotive, Robotics, and IoT Institute (MARii) has noted a significant gap in the supply of workers proficient in these advanced skills, which hampers the industry’s progress.
By leveraging Sime Kansai Paints’ market leadership in Automotive Coatings in Malaysia, this MoU initiative seeks to foster a skilled workforce at the tertiary level offering opportunities for TVET students to upskill their capabilities to ensure they are ready for the workforce upon graduating. Beginning with Institut Kemahiran MARA Kota Kinabalu, the collaboration between both parties aligns with Malaysia’s broader goals under the National TVET Policy 2030 to equip TVET students with relevant skill-enhancing curricula to create more job opportunities and enhance employability for TVET students in the nation.
Mr. Tan Seng Yang, Managing Director of Sime Kansai Paints Sdn Bhd, emphasised the importance of this collaboration, sharing: “This MoU represents more than just a collaboration. It is an initiative between both parties to elevate and set the new standard for TVET education as we aim to cultivate a highly skilled workforce for the automotive refinishing industry. By incorporating real market practices into our training programs, we are strengthening the relevance of TVET courses and empowering students to tackle future challenges confidently.”
The MoU will also see Sime Kansai Paints play an active advisory role to Institut Kemahiran MARA Kota Kinabalu while providing job opportunities within its extensive network — including collaborations with some of Malaysia’s leading automotive companies. At the same time, they will be developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and providing centres with industrial equipment for students to develop deeper theoretical knowledge and technical experience. This includes programmes covering areas such as industry certification (Industry Certified Painter), colour matching, paint application, trainer certification courses, and more. In addition to giving students an industry-ready education, the practical sessions will also enable students to be up to date with the latest trends and work processes within the industry.
Sime Kansai Paints, a joint venture between Kansai Paint Co., Ltd., Japan and Sime Darby Motors, operates Malaysia’s first waterborne automotive coatings plant at its state-of-the-art facility in Bukit Raja, Klang. As part of their efforts to foster a brighter future for aspiring automotive professionals, Sime Kansai Paints will be participating in the Worldskills Malaysia Sabah 2024 event next month, serving as a panel judge for the event’s Car Painting category.
