BAuto Champions TVET As A Career Pathway

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is not a "dead end" but a pathway to career advancement and better living standards, says Bermaz Auto Berhad (B Auto) Group Head of After-sales, Datuk Shamsuddin Amran.

He went on to add that through TVET, the government is aligned with industry demands in accordance with the National Dual Training System (NDTS). NDTS is an initiative by the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) to bridge training institutions and industries to ensure graduates meet market needs.

BAuto’s Bermaz Auto Training School exemplifies NDTS’s success having produced over 1,000 skilled workers specializing in Mechatronics, Body and Paint, and Mechanics. Remarkably, 90% of BAuto’s workforce are NDTS graduates, many advancing to roles such as engineers, assistant managers, and managers.

“The NDTS curriculum is excellent, confirmed by our principals like Mazda Corporation Japan and Xpeng. We are committed to continuing this collaboration with KESUMA,” Shamsuddin said.

Shamsuddin also stressed that TVET is not limited to ‘3D’ (dirty, dangerous, and difficult) sectors as many would think. “If committed, individuals can rise to top management,” he explained, citing his own career trajectory in the automotive field after fifth form in 1984.

With the government allocating RM7.5 billion for TVET in Budget 2025, Shamsuddin hopes more youth will pursue this avenue.

However, sustaining TVET programmes like NDTS is costly and many institutions face challenges, including funding for qualified instructors and modern technical training resources in this day and age where industries focus shifts towards EVs and autonomous technologies.

Despite these hurdles, Shamsuddin believes Malaysia has one of the best TVET systems in the region, with graduates highly employable both locally and internationally by combining 70-80% practical workplace training with 20-30% theoretical learning.

“TVET offers a promising career path and enhances livelihoods,” Shamsuddin concluded, emphasizing its importance in sustaining Malaysia’s economic growth and global competitiveness.