An Advanced Leadership Training Programme was brought to TEEAM Members aimed at enhancing SME business owners’ capabilities in terms of Innovation, Productivity, Business Sustainability, Strategic Thinking and Human Resource Management. Titled “Senior Management Development Programme (SMDP) – On the Road to Industry 4.0”, it was co-ordinated by MIT Academy Sdn Bhd in collaboration with the German Innovation Centre for Industry 4.0. The training programme was fully funded by the Human Resource Development Fund (HRDF) of Malaysia. Some TEEAM Members together with other Malaysian SMEs participated in the industry-based training.
The Training Programme was an intensive 6-day Course with Study Tours held from 4th to 9th September 2016 in Germany and Sweden. Participants had the golden opportunity to attend Interactive Lectures with Experts and had Dialogue Sessions with SME Owners and Leaders to learn and share their deep knowledge and vast expertise to establish Industry 4.0 in their companies. They explored the opportunities and challenges of Automation and Digitalisation of Businesses. Participants attended Study Tours to SAR Elektronic, Sigma Industry, BMW, BSH Werk, Staples and IKEA.
Industry 4.0 is the current trend of automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies. It includes Cyber-Physical Systems, the Internet of Things (IoT) and also Cloud Computing. Industry 4.0 creates what has been called a Smart Factory.
The Training Programme was a great exposure for SME businesses, opening their eyes to a whole new manufacturing concept. It shows how Automation and Digitalisation of Products and Services can improve efficiency with the correct mindset thrown in. The factory visits illustrate the way towards the future Smart Factory concepts in Malaysia. By having references or benchmarks from the developed countries, it is believed that Malaysia can move with confidence towards Industry 4.0 Ready in the near future.
