Singapore. BMW Group Thailand’s longstanding commitment to the betterment of Thai society was recognized on the international stage with two awards in the recent 6th Asia Best CSR Practices Awards ceremony. Held annually in Singapore by CMO Asia to underline the remarkable successes of various organizations across Asia in creating significant and positive impact on society, the ceremony saw BMW Group Thailand receive prizes in the “Support & Improvement in Quality of Education” and “Concern for Health” categories.

“As the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles, BMW has always been practicing innovation with a vision for sustainability, and our commitment to social responsibility represents an integral part of this vision,” said Dr. Peter-Oliver Wagner, CEO of BMW Financial Services Thailand, after receiving “Concern for Health” category award for the success of the Care4Water program (www.care4water.org/thailand) – a pilot partnership with non-profit organization Waves for Water to provide clean water solutions to rural communities in Thailand.

“Through Care4Water, we provided the local communities in selected upcountry provinces with tools and expertise that ensure access to clean water,” added Dr. Wagner. “Following this successful rollout, we expect to see the program expand into countries such as Brazil and China in the near future. In Thailand, our ultimate goal is to give the gift of clean water to over 500,000 people across 117 communities."

The “Support & Improvement in Quality of Education” category, meanwhile, was won by the BMW Dual Excellence in Education programs which provide training for high-vocational students in order to enable them to acquire specialized skills and knowledge in automotive technology and innovation. BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand plant in Rayong offers training program in conjunction with the Thai-Austrian Technical College in Sattahip and the Chitralada School (Vocational Program) to train high vocational Students in Mechatronics, whereas BMW Group Thailand in Bangkok offers The BMW Service Apprentice Program, which is instituted in partnership with the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce and the BMW Group Thailand dealers’ network to train & develop students of Kanchanapisek Technical College, Mahanakorn, to become skilled mechanics in the automotive industry.

Khun Surapol Kokoed, Head of Human Resources and Administration at BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand said, “The BMW Dual Excellence in Education programs enable us to develop up-and-coming vocational talent in the automotive industry through both theoretical and hands-on training – directly from our BMW experts at the BMW Group Manufacturing plant in Rayong for training in mechatronics and at BMW authorized dealerships for the mechanical service trainings.”

“The students will receive valuable training in a wide range of professional capabilities that will serve them well in the workplace and throughout their working careers,” Khun Surapol concluded.