defence and security in the areas of avionics,
air traffic systems integration, UAV, spacecraft,
simulators and rockets which can enhance the
capability of strategic assets. Following this idea,
the Blueprint mapped the strategic ideas and
identified potential investors and customers.
The strategic plan ensures the survival of players
and stakeholders, and provides more benefits
to the industry and develops a skilled workforce.
As a matter of fact, Malaysia is believed to be
the leading producer and provider of a skilled
workforce in the Southeast Asia region, and we
are globally competitive in terms of education and
command of international language. Therefore, we
have the ability and capacity to achieve the new
National Blueprint.
To sum up, future plans for the system
integration industry includes the deployment of a
technology platform with the ability to outsource
the modernisation of airborne, land and maritime
systems for both civil and security applications.
Local companies will gear themselves to tap a
bigger regional market.
BEM MRO Aircraft Maintenance Licensed
Workforce Recognition
One of the applaudable initiatives by the Board of
Engineers Malaysia (BEM) in supporting the MRO
sector is the registration and recognition of CAAM
licensed aircraft maintenance professionals.
Undeniably, licensed professionals are one of the
critical factors in determining the MRO industry’s
success. The BEM began the process of recognising
Malaysian technicians and technologist in 2015.
This recognition bodes well for the future of the
MRO sector. The Registration of Engineers Act
(REA) 1967 was amended in 2015 to align with
the international engineering alliance accords
with the Washington Accord, Sydney Accord and
Dublin Accord. BEM, after consultation with CAAM
initiated a study of the CAAM Part 66 Aircraft
Maintenance License (AML) requirements, related
to Airworthiness Notices and ICAO annexes, to
map the AML license requirements against the
requirements for equivalent qualification for BEM
registration. Detailed studies were conducted by
a team of professionals. As a result CAAM Part 66
AML Category B and C holders are now accepted
for registration in BEM as technician, engineering
technologist and graduate engineer. This will
eventually lead to professional recognition. This
milestone affects the CAAM AML holders and will
enhance the professionals in terms of recognition
by BEM.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
Since the implementation of the National
Aerospace Blueprint 1997,
the aerospace
industry in Malaysia has changed dramatically.
It has become a substantial contributor to the
nation’s high-income economy with the MRO and
Aerospace Manufacturing sub-sectors being the
major contributors. With the implementation
of the MAIB 2030, co-ordinated by the National
Aerospace Industry Co-ordinating Office (NAICO)
Malaysia is expected to be a regional aerospace
hub by 2030.
The MRO sub-sector has a growing revenue
stream and competitiveness in terms of
market position and customer satisfaction.
Growth is driven by the increasing number of
passenger which results in airlines ordering
more aircrafts. With high technology facilities
and a highly skilled workforce in most MRO
companies, commercial aircraft companies have
wider sources of MRO services. C ertification of
MRO professionals by responsible authorities is
needed to ensure safe flight operations. This,
in turn, would also enhance their reputation and
help them to expand their services in the global
market.
Aerospace Manufacturing in Malaysia is still
gradually growing in term of market size and
total revenue. There is still plenty of potential
for expansion. MAIB 2030 provides a series
of approaches to improve the local aerospace
industry’s competence and meet the requirements
of the Malaysia Industry Government Group for
High Technology (MiGHT). Malaysia has the vision
to upgrade current manufacturing services into
highly sophisticated upstream activities that will
occupy the top-tier list. Malaysia strives to be
No.1 in Southeast Asia for aerospace parts and
component sourcing targeting large sub-assembly
and risk sharing partners (RSP) as outlined in
MAIB 2030.
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