Tokyo, March 25, 2025 – Terra Drone Corporation, recognized as the leading drone service provider, is pleased to announce that our subsidiary Terra Drone Agri in Malaysia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Kumpulan Inovasi dan Sumber Manusia untuk Pendidikan (“KISMEC”), an industrial skills and management development center in Malaysia. The MOU aims to enhance employment opportunities for certified drone pilots in the agriculture sector.
Through this partnership, Terra Drone Agri will gain direct access to qualified candidates who have completed KISMEC’s drone pilot certification program and obtained the Remote Pilot Certificate of Competency-Basic (RCoC-B)(1). This collaboration enables Terra Drone Agri to secure skilled human resources more efficiently, contributing to the advancement of drone pilot workforce development in Malaysia through strengthened industry-training collaboration.
MOU Signing Ceremony between Terra Drone Agri and KISMEC
Background and Purpose of the MOU
In the early 2000s, Malaysia began transitioning from a manufacturing-based economy to one focused on high-tech and service industries. However, challenges such as a shortage of skilled labor, rising youth unemployment, and dependence on low-wage foreign workers became increasingly apparent. In response, the Malaysian government introduced the 9th Malaysia Plan (2006–2010) (2), which emphasized human capital development through education and skills training initiatives. KISMEC is one of the vocational institutions established under this initiative.
KISMEC’s drone pilot certification program equips trainees with industry-relevant skills to meet the growing demand for drone pilots. While Terra Drone Agri has a constant need for skilled pilots, KISMEC seeks ways to reduce the cost of in-house training. Through this MOU, Terra Drone Agri will now be able to recruit certified graduates directly from KISMEC, gaining access to ready-to-work talent while minimizing training costs.
Details of the MOU
The MOU was signed in Kedah, Malaysia, with the aim of enhancing employability and ensuring a smooth job-matching process between qualified candidates and Terra Drone Agri. Both organizations share the vision of equipping trainees with practical skills and employment opportunities aligned with the demands of the drone industry.
Terra Drone Agri and KISMEC members
Expectations for MOU
KISMEC will play a key role in preparing trainees with the skills necessary for employment, including industry insights and practical work experiences. At the same time, Terra Drone Agri will strengthen its recruitment strategy by gaining access to a pipeline of certified talent, enhancing its adaptability to a dynamic labor market. With this collaboration, Terra Drone Agri can more easily recruit RCoC-B certified drone pilots, securing a continuous stream of capable and competitive personnel.
Future Prospects
This MOU represents a significant step in advancing human resource development in Malaysia’s high-tech services sector through closer collaboration between industry and vocational training institutions. Terra Drone aims to contribute to Malaysia’s economic growth by prioritizing the recruitment of highly skilled drone operators and fostering a flexible and sustainable workforce.
Editor’s Note
1 The RCoC-B is a basic certification for drone operators issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) and is required for commercial drone operations.
2 The 9th Malaysia Plan was a five-year national development plan introduced in 2006 to promote economic growth, infrastructure development, and social progress as part of the government’s long-term Vision 2020.
About KISMEC
KISMEC was established in March 1993 with the goal of enhancing the skills and knowledge of the Malaysian workforce. Headquartered in Kedah, the center operates under government funding and has trained over 18,245 skilled workers and 2,642 high school and university graduates since its inception. As one of Malaysia’s key skills development centers, KISMEC collaborates with state and federal governments as well as private enterprises to support workforce advancement. For more information, please visit our website: https://www.kismec.org.my/website
About Terra Drone Corporation
Terra Drone Corporation, headquartered in Japan, is a global leader in drone and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) solutions. Dedicated to the mission of “Unlock ‘X’ Dimensions”, the company is committed to creating a prosperous future by “crossing” bridges—integrating diverse fields to foster innovation and find solutions. Specializing in surveying, inspections, agriculture, and UAS Traffic Management (UTM), Terra Drone serves industries such as oil and gas, construction, chemicals, energy, and agriculture.
With a portfolio of over 3,000 completed projects worldwide, Terra Drone has achieved significant milestones in the drone operations field. In July 2023, the company acquired a majority stake in Unifly, a world-leading provider of UTM platform, with deployments in over eight countries, followed by an investment in U.S.-based Aloft Technologies in February 2024, further expanding its capabilities in UTM.Terra Drone was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market (Stock Code: 278A) on November 29, 2024. It also secured top spot in Global Drone Service Provider Rankings for 2024.
Recognized by Drone Industry Insights as one of the top three industrial drone service providers globally for five consecutive years, Terra Drone aims to build the digital infrastructure necessary to unlock the full potential of drones and AAM solutions. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.terra-drone.net
About Terra Drone Agri
Terra Drone Agri is a subsidiary of the Terra Drone Corporation, specializing in drone services for agriculture primarily in Malaysia. The services encompass spraying and land mapping for various agricultural sectors, including forestry and plantation. Terra Drone Agri also oversees the management of ‘Terra Agri’ as part of the company’s comprehensive service offerings. For more information, please visit our website: https://terra-droneagri.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoo4yo4yFlhERRSyi2YUcOv3YifG4EAEoN3-NVkeOc8k4wjTvStS
Media Contact
PR Team, Terra Drone Corporation
Tel: +81-3-6419-7193
Email: pr@terra-drone.co.jp
