The Asian Rail Academy (ARA) was launched to address the increasing demand for human capital following the rapid growth of the rail industry in Malaysia. The Academy is set to play a key role in fulfilling the crucial need of a skilled workforce in the Malaysian rail industry and driving human capital development in the country.
ARA is spearheading the rail training industry by being Asia’s first authorised training partner of UK’s National Training Academy for Rail (NTAR). ARA will also be the first training provider in Asia offering rail safety certification programmes from TÜV SÜD Germany.
Scoring yet another first, ARA will also be the pioneer training facility in Malaysia to use Virtual Reality to enhance the learning experience.
Amir Bin Oman, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Human Resources Malaysia jointly launched the Academy with Vicki Treadell CMG MVO, British High Commissioner to Malaysia witnessed by the representatives of NTAR UK and the Asian Rail Academy.
“It is timely to see the training demands in the rail industry being met for not just Malaysia, but the fact that Malaysia will be the key hub for training in the rail industry for the region, with the Asian Rail Academy forging the future of rail training in Asia,” said Datuk C.M.Vignaesvaran Jeyandran, Chief Executive of Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) reading from Minister of Human Resources Datuk Seri Richard Riot Anak Jaem ‘s speech.
“With the rapid growth in local rail industry, the Government of Malaysia is expected to spend about RM160 billion by 2030 to develop rail infrastructure and new lines. With training programmes in the rail industry established in Malaysia, we fulfil a key pillar in the 11th Malaysia Plan in enhancing human capital development, propelling our country for greater advancement into being a fully developed nation,” he added.
Treadell, who hosted the launch event at her Residence, said: “I am delighted that the Asian Rail Academy and the UK’s National Training Academy Rail have come together. This partnership will equip a new generation of Malaysians with the skills, technical knowledge and expertise to realise the opportunities of the fast expanding rail sector in Malaysia. Our Education is GREAT campaign is delivering results like this, which is proof of our modern economic partnership with Malaysia and one that delivers for a new age. The UK aims to provide delivery solutions towards Malaysia’s further economic transformation, and support Malaysia’s ambition to be a developed nation by 2020.”
The Asian Rail Academy is partnering industry leaders like the National Training Academy for Rail (NTAR) from the UK and TÜV SÜD from Germany to provide globally recognized industry-relevant certification programmes in traction, rolling stock and railway safety.
The launch event today showcased signing ceremonies between TDA and HRDF, and TDA and the Asian Rail Academy (ARA). YBhg Dato’ Zailani Safari, Chief Executive Officer, Technology Depository Agency Berhad (TDA) was present at the event.