Malaysia Automotive Institute - Kangan Institute

On 16th March 2012, Kangan Institute signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI) in a move to help build skills in the Malaysian automotive retail, service and repair sector.

The signing of the MOU was witnessed by Victoria's Minister of Higher Education and Skills Peter Hall at the Qantas Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. The agreement builds on existing educational ties between Kangan Institute and the MAI. Last year, both organisations worked closely to deliver a skills building program to automotive trainers and lecturers from local colleges and universities in Malaysia.

The new MOU will strengthen and broaden the relationship between both organisations through additional projects over the next three years. As part of the agreement, Kangan Institute will deliver a skills development program in after-sales service to 25 participants in Kuala Lumpur this year. Kangan Institute's CEO Ray Griffiths sees the partnership as a key step towards building stronger educational ties with international partners.

"As a leading Victorian TAFE and one of the state's largest automotive training providers, we're looking forward to working collaboratively with our Malaysian partners to share our knowledge and expertise of the automotive training sector," he said. "This collaboration will see Kangan Institute delivering a range of skills building services with the MAI with a focus on new ideas and technologies in spray painting and panel beating."

MAI's CEO Madani Sahari was excited to finalise the agreement with Kangan Institute. "The MAI is very pleased to collaborate with Kangan Institute with this training MOU," he said before expressing his vision for future collaborative efforts between the two parties that will require further support from Kangan Institute. she said. Kangan Institute delivers automotive training to more than 3,500 apprentices every year at the world-class Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE) in Melbourne's Docklands.

ACE Stage II featuring new leading-edge equipment and purpose-built industry facilities was launched in February this year. The MAI is a peak automotive body representing manufacturers, suppliers and training providers for the continued growth of the Malaysian automotive industry.

The collaboration between Kangan Institute and the MAI is expected to enhance the knowledge and skills of Malaysian trainers and in turn produce more apprenticeships in key areas such as retail, service and repair.