(Back row from left): Saipolyazan, Teoh, Amirudin and Ahmad Azri with Yayasan MBI Hero-in-Auto scholarship programme recipients following the presentation ceremony in Bukit Raja, Klang.
EIGHT Selangor individuals obtained scholarships worth over RM115,000 aimed at opening doors for B40 youths to gain certified automotive training.
Offered by Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated (MBI Selangor), through Yayasan MBI, the initiative reinforced its commitment to human capital development.
The youths were selected for the Hero-in-Auto scholarship programme under Carsome Academy’s Empoweryouth+ 2.0 initiative.
The TVET programme will help equip them with the skills and confidence to drive their future forward in the automotive industry.
Among the selected scholars was Muhammad Ikmal Wafiq Abd Aziz, an 18-year-old who has been working long hours in the gig economy to support his mother and siblings after losing his father.
Despite the heavy responsibilities at home, he has continued to pursue his dream in the automotive field, teaching himself skills from videos and hands-on tinkering.
Driven by passion and determination, he is ready to turn his interest into a career.
“I’m ready to learn, grow and contribute to the industry,” he said.
Also part of the cohort was Muhammad Afiq Haziq, 18, who has spent years honing his skills at a local workshop while juggling gig work.
His early hands-on experience has given him practical knowledge, patience and problem-solving skills.
For Afiq, the scholarship is a pathway to turn years of hard work into a long-term, meaningful career in the automotive sector.
“I’m grateful for this opportunity to strengthen my skills with a valid accreditation that will turn a passion into a meaningful growth opportunity for life,” he said.
The scholarships were presented by Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari at Carsome Certified Lab in Bukit Raja, Klang.
Also present were MBI Selangor group chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Saipolyazan M. Yusop, Yayasan MBI head Ahmad Azri Zainal Nor, Carsome Group co-founder cum Carsome Academy CEO Teoh Jiun Ee, Carsome Academy associate director Kendo Ho, Carsome regional director of corporate affairs Leeroy Ting and Carsome regional head of marketing Lynn Dhia.
Saipolyazan said: “This collaboration marks another milestone in our long-term partnership with Carsome Academy to strengthen Selangor’s role as a centre for human capital and economic growth.
“By working with committed industry partners, we aim to create sustainable opportunities for youth and support Malaysia’s broader nation-building agenda.”
Teoh added: “Our partnership with MBI Selangor through the Hero-in-Auto Scholarship Programme reflects our shared goal of giving young Malaysians access to real opportunities.
“By equipping young Malaysians with industry-relevant skills and practical experience, the programme not only transforms lives but also advances Malaysia’s TVET ecosystem and cultivates a future-ready, skilled workforce, particularly within the automotive sector.
“With experience, our graduates can progress into higher-paying positions such as service advisor, foreman or assistant service manager, with income growth of up to 130% over five years.”
During the event, past scholarship recipients under the Selangor government’s education initiatives shared their experiences and presented a memento to Amirudin in appreciation of the opportunity to pursue automotive training.
A total of 29 students have benefitted from the programme.
The nine-month Hero-in-Auto scholarship programme combines three months of classroom theory, five months of industrial practical training and one month of employability preparation, culminating in the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM Level 2 – Light Vehicle Repair).
The programme adopts a 70% practical and 30% classroom learning structure to ensure graduates are equipped with competencies that meet current industry standards.
Designed to bridge the gap between education and employment, the programme equips students with hands-on experience, leadership development and essential employability skills, culminating in 100% job placement upon completion.
Graduates are offered a structured career pathway that enables them to build long-term careers in the automotive industry.
