Proton has been lauded for its exemplary learning and development programs, sustainable human resources (HR) practices, and employer development initiatives. The company received four prestigious awards at the Employee Experience Awards 2024 and People & Purpose Awards 2024, held in May and June respectively. These accolades highlight Proton’s dedication to talent nurturing and fostering a sustainable work culture, crucial for its ongoing growth and development.
Employee Experience Awards 2024
The Employee Experience Awards, organised by Human Resources Online, recognise employers who significantly enhance the employee experience. Proton’s Human Capital Division (HCD) was honoured with Gold in two categories: Best First-Time Manager Programme and Best Learning and Development Programme. The Best First-Time Manager Programme award underscores the company’s initiatives to ensure new leaders thrive and contribute effectively. Meanwhile, the Best Learning and Development Programme award acknowledges Proton’s efforts to equip employees with essential skills and knowledge for career advancement.
People & Purpose Awards 2024
At the People & Purpose Awards 2024 by SEEK, which celebrates passionate and purpose-driven HR practitioners in Malaysia, Proton’s HCD earned Platinum in Best Sustainable HR Practices and Gold in Best Employer Development Program. The Best Sustainable HR Practices award recognises Proton’s balanced approach to aligning business objectives with employee well-being, driving organisational goals. The Best Employer Development Program award validates Proton’s in-house training programs and career development initiatives aimed at professional growth.
Leadership and Transformation under Amran bin Mohd Tomin
These achievements are attributed to the robust HR system led by Amran bin Mohd Tomin, Vice President of HCD since March 2016. Under his leadership, Proton’s HCD formulated a human capital strategy aligned with business requirements, restructured roles, and streamlined workflows to support sales, after-sales, and manufacturing divisions.
Following its partnership with Geely, Proton developed a new strategy based on collaboration requirements, featuring seven strategic thrusts evolving into four shared values: Teamwork, Achiever, Respect, and Integrity (TARI). A notable change was the introduction of HR Business Partners to enhance business acumen across various divisions, including manufacturing, sales, and technical engineering support.
Proton’s HR Evolution and ORO 2.0
Proton’s HR department underwent further restructuring from 2019 to 2020 to bridge talent capabilities with company needs, propelling growth. The department was strengthened to better manage talents, culture, and organisational design, supported by a 10-year business plan aligning company goals with employee aspirations for a performance-oriented organisation.
Guided by the Organisational Resources Optimisation (ORO) initiative, Proton has focused on rightsizing operations for cost optimisation and avoiding redundancy over the past four years. ORO 2.0, launched this year, extends these efforts by identifying non-core processes for outsourcing as profit-oriented activities, merging roles where possible without reducing manpower.
Talent Recruitment and Development
Despite these optimizations, Proton continues to recruit externally to complement existing skills. Over the past four to five years, Proton has hired more than 3,000 people, with an annual attrition rate of about 10 to 11%. The company aims for internal promotions to account for 10% to 20% of its workforce at any level.
To bolster its talent pipeline, Proton launched the Proton Young Talents (PYT) program in 2018, targeting the recruitment of 100 young talents annually. After initial rotations through four core divisions, 30 to 50 talents are absorbed into permanent roles to support key business functions over the subsequent five years.
Proton’s recognition at these awards and its continuous efforts in HR practices demonstrate the company’s commitment to fostering a sustainable and thriving workplace, essential for its long-term success and advancement.
