Mercedes-Benz Korea is strengthening its after-sales service capabilities through training as its automotive technician development initiative marks its 20th anniversary.
Launched in 2006 as the Automotive Mechatronic Traineeship, or AMT, the program was revamped in 2022 as the Automotive Electric Traineeship, or AET, to address growing demand for electric vehicle maintenance expertise.
The AET program combines classroom instruction with practical training to prepare automotive engineering students for careers as certified technicians within Mercedes-Benz's service network.
Participants complete 20 courses covering EV safety, electric drive systems, high-voltage batteries, cooling systems and charging equipment, alongside conventional internal combustion engine maintenance.
The curriculum includes approximately 14 weeks of theoretical instruction at the Mercedes-Benz Korea Training Academy and 40 weeks of hands-on training at authorized service centers.
Graduates receive AET certification and maintenance qualifications recognized across Mercedes-Benz's global network.
The program is designed to equip technicians with the diagnostic skills and safety expertise required to maintain increasingly sophisticated vehicles, particularly as electrification reshapes the industry.
At the center of the company's training efforts is the Mercedes-Benz Training Academy in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province.
Relocated and opened in 2015, the academy was the automaker's third standalone training center, following facilities in Germany and France.
Built with an investment of 25 billion won ($17.8 million), the facility houses technical training classrooms, dedicated high-voltage EV training areas and a virtual education studio.
As of September, the academy could accommodate more than 300 trainees simultaneously and had an annual training capacity of approximately 18,000 participants.
Beyond training new recruits, the academy provides continuing education for technicians working at authorized Mercedes-Benz service centers across Korea.
Its structured curriculum covers vehicle maintenance, system repairs, fault diagnosis, powertrains, electrical and electronic systems, and advanced driver assistance technologies.
Technicians undergo assessments and certification based on the automaker's global technical standards, with training tailored to their roles and experience levels.
The academy has also expanded specialized EV courses covering high-voltage safety, battery diagnostics, system maintenance and battery repair.
Mercedes-Benz Korea said the combination of entry-level training and continuing professional development helps its service network adapt to evolving technologies while maintaining consistent standards.
The automaker plans to continue investing in education to strengthen its after-sales capabilities as electrification and increasingly complex vehicle systems reshape maintenance requirements.
hyejin2@heraldcorp.com