KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Resources Ministry through the Skills Development Department has appointed the Malaysia Automotive Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) as the industry leading body (ILB) to focus on talent development in the automotive sector.
Minister V. Sivakumar said MARii, an agency under the International Trade and Industry Minsitry (MITI), would advise the department on requirements for workers in the automotive field, including electric vehicles (EV).
"The ministry is always open and ready to collaborate with any party, including MITI to drive the development of the skilled workforce in meeting the industry's needs.
"Following this, the ministry through the Skills Development Department has appointed MARii as the ILB to focus on talent development in the automotive field.
"Through the appointment, one of MARii's primary roles is to advise the department on the competency requirements for workers in the automotive field, including EV," he said in reply to Senator Datuk Koh Nai Kwong during the question-and-answer session in Dewan Negara, today.
He said the ministry through the Labour Department has also set a target of at least 55 per cent of instructors at the Human Resources Training Institute to acquire skills and competency in new technology.
Meanwhile, Sivakumar added that the ministry planned to seek foreign investors to provide training and assist more individuals in the automotive field.
"We are aware of efforts to develop the EV industry in our country and we know that major investments were brought in by Chinese carmaker Geely.
"The ministry is taking necessary steps to ensure that (foreign) investments grow further in the country, and that we may advance in terms of training and talent development in the automotive industry.
"This is our aspiration and it will not be subjected to the automotive field only. There are many developments in other sectors and we are open to work with all ministries."