GM and Chevrolet Expand Educational Initiative
Date: 21-10-08
Opened “ASEP Thailand” in 3 Additional Provinces to Provide World-class Training for Thai Student
Suphanburi, Ratchaburi and Prachuap Kirikhan – General Motors and Chevrolet recently expanded their innovative “Automotive Service Educational Program” (ASEP) to local technical colleges in Suphanburi, Ratchaburi and Prachuap Kirikhan. The program equips college workshops with engines, instruments and Chevrolet vehicles as well as providing local lecturers with the technological know-how to be able to facilitate a hands-on, real-life experience for all students enrolled on the program.
General Motors Thailand and Chevrolet Sales Thailand launched its new programs at Suphanburi Technical College, Ratchaburi Technical College and Prachuap Kirikhan Technical College, with the target of developing highly-skilled, international standard motor technicians for the Thai automotive industry.
President of General Motors Southeast Asia Operations and Chevrolet Sales Thailand, Steve Carlisle, outlined the program’s objectives: “In order to see Thailand become a regional leader in the automotive industry, it was imperative we develop the technical knowledge here to international standards,” he said. “Students who participate in ASEP Thailand will be better qualified and in a better position to perform at a global level, which will help contribute to Thailand’s global competitiveness,” he added.
ASEP Thailand grew out of an idea initially developed by General Motors Corporation in the USA. Working with leading vocational colleges here in Thailand the company has developed a special curriculum for young car mechanics based on GM’s latest technologies. The program uses the latest Chevrolet models and engines and is equipped with the same tools used in Chevrolet workshops nationwide. The program also offers participants the chance to train with a local Chevrolet center, giving them the opportunity to learn problem-solving skills from real-life hands-on experience.
“Student profiles will be collected at GM Job Data Bank and when they graduate there is a good chance that they will be employed at one of the 103 authorized GM dealers nationwide. This incentive will help encourage students to be diligent in their studies,” said Carlisle.
Under the umbrella concept “Chevrolet Develops Thai Education”, ASEP Thailand was formed with the support of GM and Chevrolet and a network of Thai vocational schools. Training will take place in the colleges as well as at the company’s dealers nationwide. GM’s 55-million-baht investment in ASEP, which includes vehicles, engines, instruments and curriculum development, will be utilized to provide hands-on experience with real-life applications. The company forecasts more than 50 percent of graduates will be employed in the automotive sector and aims to produce more than 1,000 qualified technicians nationwide.
To meet its global commitment of going beyond just providing employment or producing and selling safe and high-quality vehicles, GM and Chevrolet will initially fund ASEP Thailand to develop and run a two-year automotive curriculum, with a provision for follow-up for five years. The training will consist of both theoretical and operational interactive lessons to be held at vocational colleges or Chevrolet service centers.
The 11 vocational schools participating in the program are:
Ubon Ratchathani Technical College Ubon Ratchathani Province
Chonburi Technical College Chonburi Province
Suphanburi Technical College Suphanburi Province
Phitsanulok Technical College Phitsanulok Province
Ratchaburi Technical College Ratchaburi Province
Kanchanaphisek Udonthani Technical College Udon Thani Province
Northern Technology College Nakorn Sawan Province
Nakorn Ratchasima Technical College Nakorn Ratchasima Province
Mahasarakham Technical College Mahasarakham Province
Prachuap Kirikhan Technical College Prachuap Kirikhan Province
Hat Yai Technical College Songkla Province
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Photos:
1. Steve Carlisle (left), President of General Motors Southeast Asia Operations and Chevrolet Sales (Thailand) Ltd., is joined by Surachai Srisarakam, Deputy Governor of Prachuap Kirikhan and Mangkorn Harirak Senior-Advisor for Policy and Plan at Office of the Vocational Education Commission, for the official opening ceremony of the Automotive Service Educational Program in Thailand (ASEP Thailand) as part of the “Chevrolet Develops Thai Education” program at Prachuap Kirikhan Technical College.
2. Steve Carlisle (far right), presents a Chevrolet Optra Estate to Pornchai Sirikarnchanapaisarn (3rd right), Director of Suphanburi Technical College, at the official opening ceremony of the Automotive Service Educational Program in Thailand (ASEP Thailand) at Suphanburi Technical College. Participants supporting the initiative included Suchet Teeratthanon, Deputy Provincial Governor and Surat Chanyam, Director, Bureau of Cooperation, Vocational Education Commission.
3. Vivat Chanwowwarm (2nd right), managing director of Chevrolet Ratchaburi, and Surasak Aporntaewan (2nd left), Director of Ratchaburi Technical College, preside over the official opening ceremony of the Automotive Service Educational Program in Thailand (ASEP Thailand) at Ratchaburi Technical College. Participants supporting the initiative included Steve Carlisle (far right), and Aphinan Chantharangsi, Deputy Governor of Ratchaburi.
4. ASEP students at Ratchaburi Technical College demonstrate how to use the Tech-II Engine Tracking device to Aphinan Chantharangsi, Deputy Governor of Ratchaburi, and Steve Carlisle.
5. Surachai Srisarakam, Deputy Governor of Prachuap Kirikhan and Steve Carlisle view a demonstration of the panel board system, similar to the one in Chevrolet Optra, by students of Prachuap Kirikhan Technical College. Every student will receive the opportunity to practice with this panel board.
6. Suchet Teeratthanon, Deputy Governor of Suphanburi, and Surat Chanyam, Director, Bureau of Cooperation, Vocational Education Commission, along with Steve Carlisle, view the demonstration process of a Chevrolet air-conditioning board.
October 21, 2008
For further information, please contact:
Panadda Sirisopapong
Public Relations Specialist
General Motors (Thailand) Limited & Chevrolet Sales (Thailand) Limited
Tel: 0-2791-3400 Fax: 0-2937-0441
Email: panadda.sirisopapong@gm.com
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