MIGHT and ales sign MoU on human capital development for Malaysia s rail industry

31 July 2013

Putrajaya, 29 July 2013 Today, Thales, a global leader in ground transportation, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) to promote human capital development for the country's rail industry. The signing was attended by YAB Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia, and Jean-Marc Ayrault, Prime Minister of France. This MoU is the first of a series of initiatives planned by the government to support development for Malaysia's rail industry.

The purpose of these initiatives is to address the challenges facing Malaysia's rail industry, particularly the lack of relevant skills. This first MoU is part of a key project to create a Rail Centre of Excellence (RCOE). MIGHT and Thales will provide specific content for the RCOE in the field of signalling and communications for main line and urban rail, including courseware, train-the-trainer programmes, project management support and facilities.

The Malaysian government is committed to developing the country's public transportation infrastructure and recognises the rail industry's critical need for people with the relevant technical qualifications and skills. This concern is highlighted in the National Rail Industry Development Roadmap, which led to the development of the RCOE. This will be achieved through partnerships with rail industry players, both local and international. MIGHT is responsible for setting up the RCOE and establishing the necessary partnerships.

The RCOE will initially provide education and training. Subsequently, it will also include research and development activities and will host small and medium enterprises and original equipment manufacturers, including production facilities.

Mohd Yusoff Sulaiman, President and CEO of MIGHT, highlighted the importance of this public-private initiative: Thales, as a member of MIGHT, has expressed genuine interest in the long-term development of Malaysia's rail industry and recognises that this begins by developing and fostering local talent and transferring the necessary expertise.

Pascale Sourisse, Senior Executive Vice-President of Thales in charge of international development commented on the importance of this collaboration: Thales has a wealth of experience in knowledge transfer across all its areas of expertise and is delighted to support this industrial initiative in Malaysia.

Over the last 30 years, Thales has provided training for over 5,000 people. The Group has a strong presence in the Middle East and, more recently, in Romania. With this latest MoU, Thales, through its in-house university training organisation, is further extending its involvement in human capital development to Asia.

Note to editors

RAIL CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE TIMELINE

On 19 August 2011, MIGHT held a briefing session with local rail industry stakeholders to gather information and gain insight into the issues and challenges facing the industry. One of the concerns raised by many stakeholders is the need for human capital development. Currently, Malaysia does not have enough people with the necessary qualifications and skills to meet the burgeoning demand, driven by the country's new rail projects.

Using Foresight methodology, MIGHT conducted an education and training workshop on 30 November 2011 to identify the industry's skills gaps and human capital requirements. Signalling was identified as one of the key areas for development.

MIGHT and SPAD worked together to prepare the National Rail Industry Development Roadmap: Future Rail 2030. A briefing session on the roadmap was held on 20 June 2012 in order to synchronise the roadmap through engagement with local rail stakeholders. One of the key strategies outlined in the roadmap is to establish institutions able to produce rail-ready' professionals based on industry demand.

On 24 April 2012, MIGHT and Thales signed a memorandum of understanding, which details the areas in which Thales will contribute to a rail management system.

Thales is one of the first companies contributing to the development of the Rail Centre of Excellence (RCOE). The collaborative ties between MIGHT and Thales will be further strengthened through a second MoU, signed on the 29 July 2013.

About MIGHT (Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology)

The Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee and overseen by the Prime Minister's Department. MIGHT play a key role in developing Malaysia's high-technology capabilities for business through its role as a think tank and through private-public consensus building and business nurturing platforms. It is an organisation built on the strength of public-private partnership with more than 100 members, both local and international, from industry, government and academia. www.might.org.my

Press contacts

MIGHT Media Relations,

Mansurah Raisa Ab Rahim

Tel: +60 16 668 1210

raisa@might.org.my

Thales Media Relations, Transportation

Victoire Chartier

Tel: +33 (0)1 57 77 90 22

victoire.chartier@thalesgroup.com

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LINK:	http://www.thalesgroup.com/Press_Releases/Markets/Transportation/2013/...
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