The Volvo Trucks Advanced Driver Development Programme recently certified its first group of 20 graduates from the Bakri Royal Malaysian Police Technical College. This programme, aimed at enhancing driving skills, efficiency, and safety, is a collaborative effort between Volvo Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (Volvo Trucks Malaysia) and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS).

"At Volvo Trucks, safety is at the heart of everything we do. We strive for excellence in every facet of our operations, from the design and manufacturing of our vehicles to the training and development of our drivers," said Volvo Trucks Malaysia Managing Director, Anthony O'Connell, during the inaugural graduation ceremony.

O'Connell extended his congratulations to the trainers from the Bakri Royal Malaysian Police Technical College, who completed the rigorous programme. He emphasized the importance of partnership, stating, "Through this successful collaboration with MIROS, we have created a platform that not only imparts essential skills but also reinforces our shared commitment to the highest standards of safety, sustainability, and quality – the core values of Volvo."

The programme was designed to serve as a Train-the-Trainer course, enhancing the technical expertise of trainees and deepening their understanding of advanced driving techniques, vehicle dynamics, and tactical maneuvers. The training included two vital modules: the Driving and Truck Handling Skill Course and the Advanced and Tactical Truck Handling Skill Course. The hands-on training, conducted at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), was led by a highly qualified HRD Corp-certified Volvo Trucks trainer with two decades of experience.

Associate Professor Ts Dr. Siti Zaharah Ishak, Director General of MIROS, highlighted the importance of such initiatives. "The Malaysia Road Safety Plan 2022-2030 aims to achieve a 50% reduction in road traffic crash fatalities by the end of 2030 compared to 2019. MIROS believes the participation of international organizations such as Volvo Trucks in organizing such training programs is a significant starting point for capacity building to help us improve road safety."

Senior Assistant Commissioner Zam Halim Jamaluddin, Commandant of the Bakri Royal Malaysian Police Technical College, emphasized the programme's importance. "Logistical support is an important part of our duty in crime fighting. This programme ensures our officers are equipped with the capabilities to excel in their professional duties. We look forward to more collaborations like this in the future."

The Volvo Trucks Advanced Driver Development Programme is part of a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) between Volvo Trucks and MIROS, signed in August 2023. Its goal is to drive road safety initiatives to reduce the number of road accidents, injuries, and fatalities in Malaysia. The programme is open to all commercial vehicle operators seeking to enhance driving skills, efficiency, and safety, with certification claimable under HRD Corp.