UMW Toyota Motor executive director Mohd Shamsor Mohd Zain (second from left) shaking hands with Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) director-general Datuk Zulkifri Osman, in the presence of (from left) UMW Toyota Motor deputy chairman Takashi Obata, Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and Ravindran during the Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony at Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur, KL.
KUALA LUMPUR: UMW Toyota Motor marked a pivotal milestone in its commitment to developing Malaysia’s future workforce with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expand its Toyota Technical Education Programme (T-TEP).
The ceremony, held at Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur, brought together leaders from the Education Ministry, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) and key private institutions in a shared effort to elevate the country’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) landscape.
Originally launched in 1991, T-TEP has since evolved into a comprehensive and enduring industry-education partnership model.
With the recent expansion, the programme now encompasses 25 partner institutions — up from just five — each adopting Toyota’s integrated training syllabus and benefitting from cutting-edge tools such as hybrid and electric engine simulators. This growth reflects Toyota’s forward-thinking approach to future mobility and workforce readiness.
To date, UMW Toyota has invested close to RM20mil in the T-TEP programme, which has helped produce approximately 7,000 skilled graduates across Malaysia.
This long-standing investment highlights the company’s belief in the power of education—not just to shape careers, but to uplift communities and industries alike.
“T-TEP goes beyond preparing students for entry-level roles. It equips them with real-world experience and the mindset to grow into future leaders in the automotive field,” said UMW Toyota Motor executive director Mohd Shamsor Mohd Zain.
“This programme demonstrates how industry can play a proactive role in shaping a future-ready, high-income workforce that aligns with the goals of Malaysia’s National TVET Policy 2030.”
With over 100 service centres and three manufacturing plants across the country, UMW Toyota continues to provide students with meaningful internship opportunities and on-ground exposure to the standards, technologies and innovation driving the mobility industry forward.
More than a programme, T-TEP reflects Toyota’s broader corporate purpose — to Move Your World. By moving skills, careers and ultimately, lives, UMW Toyota is helping to build a generation of technically competent, confident and resilient individuals who are empowered to contribute to Malaysia’s social and economic progress.
“At UMW Toyota, we believe that true progress begins with people. T-TEP embodies our commitment to not only advance automotive excellence, but to uplift lives and communities through knowledge, opportunity and purpose,” said UMW Toyota Motor president Datuk K.Ravindran.
“As the industry evolves, we are deepening our investment in education and talent development to ensure that no one is left behind. This is how we move the world forward — by empowering individuals to move theirs.”
The expansion of T-TEP affirms the company’s role as a proactive nation-building partner, committed to nurturing a skilled, inclusive and future-ready workforce for Malaysia.
