BMW Group Thailand, led by Mr. César Badilla (4th from left) Director Aftersales and Khun Chanin Thiticharupaisal (3rd from left), General Manager Dealer Development, together with Mr. Markus Hoffmann (7th from left), CIM Expert and Head of German-Thai Dual Excellence Education Department, the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce and representatives from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Bangkok, Dr. Alexander Raubold (5th from left), Counsellor of Economic and Commercial Affairs and Mr. Karl-Heinrich Adam (6th from left), Third Secretary Economic and Commercial, recently presented certificates to 13 vocational students from Kanchanapisek Mahanakorn Technical College, Bangkaewfa Industrial and Community Education College and Chumphae Technical College after their graduation from the BMW Service Apprentice Program.

Bangkok. BMW Group Thailand marked the seventh year of its ‘BMW Service Apprentice Program’ with a certificate presentation ceremony for 13 vocational students from Kanchanapisek Mahanakorn Technical College, Bangkaewfa Industrial and Community Education College, and Chumphae Technical College following their recent graduation from the program, which seeks to develop new talent for the automotive industry in a collaborative effort. The ceremony was held at the BMW Group Thailand Training Center in Pathumthani province. After graduation, all the students will be recognized as qualified candidates for employment at authorized BMW dealers. This, therefore, reflects BMW Group’s commitment to sustainably shape the new benchmark of Thailand’s development in vocational education.

Mr. César Badilla, Director Aftersales, BMW Group Thailand, said, “The BMW Service Apprentice Program shows the company’s commitment to Thai society as a contributing member by supporting sustainable development in education. We firmly believe that all graduates from this program will be a major force in strengthening the potential of BMW Group Thailand and our steadily growing dealer network. The hands-on technical work onsite will enrich their experiences, grooming them to become valuable resources to the automotive industry in the future while also driving Thailand’s progress towards the UNDP’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”

The BMW Service Apprentice Program was initiated in 2012 and recognized as part of the German-Thai Dual Excellence Education (GTDEE) program. The program curriculum was instituted in partnership with the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce (GTCC) and the BMW Group Thailand dealers’ network to train the students with essential technical skills. Participating students will be awarded with full scholarship and allowance throughout the project. To meet the criteria and qualifications required to enroll in the program, all the candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 throughout the five semesters and must pass an examination jointly organized by the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce and BMW Group Thailand.

Over the two-year period, participating students are trained at the College at the Vocational Diploma level, while BMW theoretical knowledge and practical training are taught at the BMW Training Center with on-the-job training and support provided by BMW certified technicians at authorized BMW dealerships. Since its inception, the partnership has developed young technicians and skilled workers in the automotive industry, while also reinforcing Thailand’s potential as a global automotive production hub.