‘Industry opportunities must be met with passion by everyone’

AS the agency tasked with enhancing the Malaysian Automotive industry, one of the major challenges we have to address constantly has been the issue of awareness of industry opportunities.

The ecosystem that makes up the industry is vast, with a wide subject matter and an array of specialisations, which requires mastery of technical, non-technical and creative disciplines.

It is not just engines, nuts and bolts — it is both an art and science that finds emotional attachment to both business and consumer alike.

Firstly, many equate the automotive industry with our national carmakers. While they are undoubtedly movers of the industry, there are hundreds of firms that supply components to not just our national brands, but the 27 other vehicle assemblers that operate within our borders.

There are thousands of dealers, distributors and service cen- tres that sell these cars and keep them in good working order.

Secondly, automotive jobs are not just for those that work on the production line. The industry comprises design and process engineers, quality managers, repair and servicemen, salesmen, sketch artists, fabric weavers, tool makers, bankers and insurance agents, just to name a few.

Name your interest, there is a career in the automotive industry that is relevant to you!

As we speak, we are continuously striving to maximise access to quality education and skills certification. Since the National Automotive Policy 2014 was announced, MAI has worked with the Department of Skills Development and other industry stakeholders to develop competency standards in both manufacturing and after-sales sectors, through the publishing of 27 National Occupational Skills Standards to date.

We have also certified around