2016 Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Skills Competition
Just as the 2016 Olympics were winding down in Rio last weekend, so too did an event, deemed by members of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s after-sales personnel to be their very own Olympic games. And just like how the Summer Games showcase the best athletes a country has to offer, the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Skills Competition Grand Finals features the cream of the crop from Mercedes-Benz’s nationwide dealer network.
This biennial event hosted at Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s Apprentice Training Centre saw 30 finalists shortlisted from 378 contestants nationwide, battle each other for prizes and more importantly, bragging rights as the best Mercedes-Benz technical team in the country. This Skills Competition is part of Mercedes-Benz’s strategy to strengthen its brand. By encouraging its personnel to excel in their respective fields in line with the company’s “lifelong learning” philosophy, this will build a strong and competent after-sales team which will ensure a better ownership experience which increases brand value.
Said Dr Claus Weidner, President & CEO of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, “The Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Skills Competition is a good example of the exceptional standards upheld by our certified after-sales personnel throughout our dealership network in delivering unparalleled customer experiences. At Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, we believe that our people are the bedrock of our long-term success. That is why we remain committed to ensuring their continuous development. We believe that in developing them to be the best that they can be, will ultimately result in delivering the best to our customers.”
The final 30 were shortlisted after a series of qualifying rounds which involved theory and practical tests on their technical aptitude and knowledge. The Grand Finals participants, who are products of the Mercedes-Benz Apprentice Training Program, competed in 6 categories (this competition began in 2008 with just 2 categories) – Qualified Maintenance Technician (QMT), Qualified System Technician (QST), Certified Diagnosis Technician (CDT), Qualified Parts Process Specialist (QPPS), Certified Service Advisor (CSA) and Automotive Mechatronic (AMT).
Most of these categories involve the ‘unsung heroes’ who are crucial to an automotive brand’s overall customer experience and showcase the range of job profiles within the Mercedes-Benz Cars Certification Programme C-Service. A team of Daimler AG-certified trainers and area-specific experts look over the contestants to make sure they’re meeting Mercedes-Benz standards and to decide the winners. A total of RM 99,500 in cash prizes were won this round.
