Mercedes-Benz Korea supports future talent, startups for local auto industry

Participants of the Mercedes-Benz Mobile Academy pose at the AMG Speedway racetrack in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, April 9. Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz CSR Committee

Mercedes-Benz Korea is deepening efforts for sustainable growth of the local automotive industry by supporting future talent and startups here, the carmaker said Monday.

The importance of nurturing auto specialists is growing rapidly as the industry undergoes rapid technological innovation.

In response, the local subsidiary of the German automaker is widening its contribution to the industry through a range of academic-industry cooperation programs for young talent and startups.

For instance, the carmaker operates the Mercedes-Benz Mobile Academy, which was launched in 2014 by the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility Committee. More than 2,400 university students majoring in automotive-related fields have completed the program, gaining exposure to the brand’s advanced technologies and global educational expertise.

Those who display outstanding performance in the academy are given opportunities to experience cutting-edge production facilities and technology of the luxury automaker. In July 2024, the carmaker selected a group of students for a special tour of the German headquarters of the carmaker, its Factory 56 smart plant and the Mercedes-Benz Museum.

The experience enabled students to witness the latest tech trends in the global auto industry and shape their future career plans more concretely, the carmaker said.

Mercedes-Benz Korea also operates the Ausbildung program, a German-style dual vocational training system, since 2017. Under the program, high school graduates are employed at official Mercedes-Benz dealerships while pursuing formal university education from a partner university.

They will be able to receive maintenance technician certification from the carmaker and a certificate from the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which serves as a stepping stone for them to become automotive experts.

Mercedes-Benz Korea is also committed to co-prosperity with local startups by running the Startups Autobahn program in the Korean market. It is a global open innovation platform initiated by the firm’s headquarters in 2016. It was introduced to Korea in 2020.

The carmaker has incubated 53 startups and provided over 20 others with opportunities to participate in the global program, including overseas expeditions and collaboration with the carmaker’s headquarters, thereby enhancing their global competitiveness.

“Mercedes-Benz Korea is advancing practical, job-focused education via such academic-industry partnerships and supporting promising domestic startups in efforts to promote sustainable growth of the Korean society,” an official from the carmaker said.

“We are also making continued investments to ensure a sustainable future for the nation’s automotive industry.”