General Motors, Chevy: Building Auto Skills
The maker of Buick Wildcat parts and Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid is determined to make the industry a haven of able workers…
About 1,000 qualified technicians from 11 technical colleges nationwide will be trained under the Automotive Service Educational Programme (ASEP Thailand) by General Motors Thailand and Chevrolet Sales Thailand, Bangkok Post reported.
The programme, which was introduced at Chon Buri Technical College, would be expanded to 10 other schools. The automakers hope that half of the graduates trained under the programme would be hired by the auto industry.
‘’ASEP Thailand is one of the most innovative programmes developed to promote the advancement of technical know-how in this market,'’ said Phansak Rojanakart, a senior adviser for vocational education standards for the Vocational Education Commission. ‘’The skills that students gain through ASEP Thailand will be with them throughout their lifetimes and can be transferred to other career opportunities. This type of bilateral collaboration between businesses and educational institutions holds much potential for Thailand in the future.'’
‘’In order to see Thailand become a regional leader in the automotive industry, it was imperative that we develop our technical knowledge to international standards,'’ said Steve Carlisle, president of GM Southeast Asia Operations and Chevrolet Sales Thailand. ‘’The students who participate in ASEP Thailand will be better qualified and in a better position to perform at global levels, which will help contribute to Thailand’s global competitiveness.'’
The training will be held at and 103 Chevrolet dealers across the nation. Automotive laboratories, technology courses, engines, instruments and Chevrolet vehicles would be used in the courses.
The courses offered by GM and Chevrolet will concentrate on general knowledge. The automakers will initially fund a 2-year automotive curriculum and follow-up for 5 consecutive years.