Shah Alam, 8 October 2013 – The UMW Technical Academy (UTAc) was officially launched by Datuk Richard Riot, Minister of Human Resources. The opening of this Academy is part of UMW’s initiative and commitment under the “Upward Mobility Scheme”, which falls under the “Orange Book” of the Government-Linked Companies Transformation Programme (GLCTP). UMW actively supports the scheme as it focuses on capacity building through training and enhancing career progression for non-executive staff. UMW is committed to develop skilled personnel by conducting appropriate training and certification through a series of programmes.
The objective of UTAc is to train, develop and produce skilled workers to realise our vision to be a developed nation by 2020. The Academy is equipped with a comprehensive range of equipment and machinery for apprentice personnel to gain wider knowledge and experience in handling heavy equipment.
The first batch of 11 apprentices, mostly junior mechanics, joined the academy in February this year under the SLDN (Skim Latihan Dual Nasional) Programme, for a two and a half-year course titled “Earth Moving Equipment”. The course focuses more on practical learning, which includes on-the-job training, which constitutes between 70% and 80% of their tiem, with the remaining being, theory. The practical courses will be conducted at UMW Equipment Sdn. Bhd. and UMW (EM) Sdn. Bhd. workshops in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. Over the course, the apprentices will complete 8 modules, from HE 1 to HE 8. The final examination will be divided into three categories, namely, theory, oral and practical. As this is a single-tier programme, the apprentices will receive the Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia (SKM) 1, 2 and 3 after the two and a half-year course. UMW has allocated a maximum of 20 apprentices for each course.
“As a partner in the SLDN programme, UMW is providing facilities for learning theory as well as practical learning workshops at 13 locations in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. We provide additional support for the programme by preparing the trainers’ module and providing 23 trainers”, said Datuk Syed Hisham bin Syed Wazir, President and Group CEO, UMW Holdings Berhad. He added that he would like to see the SLDN programme for heavy equipment becoming a flagship programme in the future. He expressed hope that the programmes will develop in the future to include other disciplines like forklift operations and other areas in the manufacturing industry.
About UMW
The UMW Group is an international conglomerate that develops industries, manages partnerships and facilitates growth. It is involved in four core businesses – Automotive, Equipment, Manufacturing & Engineering, and Oil & Gas.
Adopting its rallying call – Beyond Boundaries®, UMW is set to play a leading role in shaping the future of its industries globally. The Group will do this by inspiring vibrant ideas, nurturing potential, pioneering partnerships and delivering excellence in everything it does; the rewards of which will contribute to the progress and well-being of its stakeholders.