GM brings ASEP program to China for tech training

Shanghai, October 13 (Gasgoo.com) Last Saturday, Shanghai General Motors, GM's joint venture in China, announced it has launched the GM Automotive Service Educational Program (ASEP) in the country for the first time, an educational partnership with a carefully selected local college to produce more talents for the booming aftermarket business.

Executives from Shanghai GM and Chiway Holding Group signed the cooperation contract at the Wuxi South Ocean College of Chiway, where seven brand new Shanghai GM-produced vehicles were handed over to the college on the site.

"This is the first time we 'transplant' GM's successful experience overseas to China, and we'll localize the application," said Mr. Sun Xiaodong, deputy general manager of Shanghai GM, adding that the whole Chinese auto aftermarket is seriously short of qualified talents.

  Sun Xiaodong(left) from Shanghai GM signs the partnership contract with Chiway.

The educational partnership between Shanghai GM and Chiway is a GM-specific training program designed to upgrade the technical competency and professional level of the students, who are incoming technicians of GM dealerships. The curriculum designed by Chiway's faculty reflects the current Shanghai GM technology and the future technology trends. Shanghai GM will also provide training components and training aids.

"Just like Build-to-Order education, this program will significantly improve the capabilities of our graduates," said Mr. Qian Jianrong, Chairman of the board, Chiway Group. He is discussing more possible alliances with other automakers in China. "I hope we can grow into China's No.1 supplier of automotive industry human resources," he added. Up to the date, Chiway has set up nine automotive service technician training programs in China.

According to Application & Service Committee of SAE-China, there are approximately 3 million auto repair workers in China, but there should be 20 million aftermarket workers to meet the growing market demand.