GM and Chevrolet Take Job Training to A New Level - Training program aims to develop world-class technical skills in Thai students
Date: 9-06-08
Mahasarakam– General Motors Thailand and Chevrolet Sales Thailand, recently introduced the Automotive Service Educational Program in Thailand (ASEP Thailand) to students in the Department of Auto Mechanics at Mahasarakam Technical College.
The launch of the program was announced by Steve Carlisle, President of General Motors Southeast Asia Operations Ltd. and Chevrolet Sales (Thailand) Ltd., at a ceremony involving Chaiwat Ratkachorn, Deputy Governor of Mahasarakam province, Aganit Klungsang, Advisor for Vocational Education Standards and more than 400 instructors, students, guests and members of the media.
ASEP Thailand is aimed at developing highly-skilled Thai technicians for the Thai automotive industry with qualifications meeting worldwide standards thereby improving the ability of manufacturers in Thailand to compete in global markets. During the course, participating students will have the opportunity to train six days a week for a total of three months at the workshops of the Chevrolet Authorized Dealer in Mahasarakam. There they will receive training from Chevrolet professional staff in every aspects of engine design and maintenance as well as hands-on experience in real-life situations such as customer relations, basic vehicle checks and problem analysis and repair.
According to GM’s Steve Carlisle, the ASEP Thailand project is the result of an idea initially developed by General Motors Corporation in the US.
“In addition to the hands-on experience that participating students will acquire, they will also receive the opportunity to work with GM and Chevrolet,” said Carlisle. “Details of ASEP students will be entered into our job database and they’ll have top consideration for positions at any of our one hundred-plus Chevrolet dealers nationwide.”
Aganit Klungsang, Advisor for Vocational Education Standards, strongly supports bilateral collaboration efforts between businesses and educational institutes and their potential in Thailand.
“ASEP Thailand is a highly innovative program designed to improve and promote technical engineering know-how in this country,” commented Mr. Klungsang. “The skills which students will gain through ASEP Thailand will be with them throughout their working lives and are applicable to many other engineering positions.”
Thanakorn Sornhung, one of the students at Mahasarakam Vocational College, described the experience he was gaining from the program.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to learn more about automotive engineering and to work closely with the Chevrolet dealer here in Mahasarakam because it’s providing me with a unique and invaluable experience which I could never find in a classroom. Here, I am learning every process applicable to real-life situations in the workplace and I’m also learning the communication skills that are vital in today’s business world. I certainly believe that my experience with ASEP Thailand will provide me with the first-class professional automotive skills required for a successful career.”
ASEP Thailand is a key component of the initiative “Chevrolet Develops Thai Education” that funds the establishment of laboratories equipped with engines, instruments and Chevrolet vehicles together with the technological know-how that provide first-class, hands-on and real-life experiences for students enrolled in the program. Training consists of interactive theoretical and operational lessons that are held at participating vocational colleges and Chevrolet service centers. Currently there are 11 vocational colleges involved in the program across the nation: Ubonratchathani, Udon Thani, Mahasarakam, Nakorn Ratchasima, Phitsanulok, Nakornsawan, Chonburi, Suphanburi, Ratchaburi, Prachuap Kirikhan and Songkla. ASEP Thailand’s target is to produce 1,000 highly-qualified technicians every year and to place 50 percent of its graduates in jobs in Thailand’s automotive industry.
Photo 1: Students at Kanchanaphisek Technical College learn automotive skills from Chevrolet professional technicians.
Photo 2: Steve Carlisle (3rd from right), President for General Motors Southeast Asia Opertions Ltd and Chevrolet Sales Thailand Ltd, together with Chaiwat Ratkachorn (middle), Deputy Governor of Mahasarakam and Akanit Klangsaeng (3rd from left), Advisor for Vocational Education Standards, introduce the ASEP Thailand program with the objective of improving and further developing Thai automotive education to produce highly qualified technicians for the local automobile industry.
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9 June 2008
For further information, please contact:
General Motors (Thailand) Ltd. and Chevrolet Sales (Thailand) Ltd.
Tel: 0-2791-3400 Fax: 0-2937-0441
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