As Malaysia’s on-demand economy continues to evolve, Grab Malaysia is stepping up its support for driver- and delivery-partners to ensure they remain competitive and resilient.
Central to this commitment is the implementation of the Driver Advancement Experience (DAX) stragegy through GrabAcademy, in partnership with government agency GIATMARA and automotive marketplace CARSOME.
These partnerships reflect Grab’s long-term vision of supporting partners beyond daily earnings for sustainable growth, equipping them with relevant skills and access to higher-value service tiers, while offering the adoption of electric vehicles (EV).
Expanding capabilities with GIATMARA
In collaboration with GIATMARA, a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institution under Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), Grab is offering practical, industry-relevant upskilling for GrabCar, GrabFood and GrabExpress partners, covering vehicle care, safety practices, EV basics, logistics operation, digital literacy, customer engagement, and financial management.
GIATMARA plays an important role in nurturing Malaysian youth, especially those from rural communities, turning them into skilled professionals and entrepreneurs who contribute to the nation’s economic growth.
The programme is designed with flexibility in mind, combining online modules through GrabAcademy and hands-on sessions at GIATMARA training centres nationwide. This allows partners to juggle between work and personal commitments at their own pace while gaining certified real-world competencies.
Vehicle and tier upgrade benefits through CARSOME
In addition to skills development, Grab is making vehicle ownership and upgrades a lot easier through the collaboration with CARSOME, Southeast Asia’s top automotive marketplace.
This initiative accepts trade-in and new buy with cash rebates up for grabs, giving driver-partners the opportunity to increase their income when they upgrade to the higher-tier services.
Eligible partners, including new sign-ups and those transitioning from delivery roles to GrabCar, can enjoy up to RM3,000 in cash rebates: RM1,500 for buying a new vehicle (regardless of the car segment), and RM1,500 for trading in an old one (regardless of the amount).
Beyond rebates, new and existing driver-partners can earn fuel vouchers worth up to RM1,000, subject to service type and trip fulfilment requirements. For instance, when you register as a NEW Grab driver-partner, OR when you UPGRADE your service type to a higher tier such as from GrabCar Standard to GrabCar Plus, Premium, or Exec, you are entitled to fuel vouchers of different amounts, depending on your completed trips. Quoting an example, a GrabCar Plus partner can earn a RM500 fuel voucher for completing 60 trips while a GrabCar Exec partner will be rewarded with a RM1,000 fuel voucher for 50 completed trips.
These upgrades do more than improve comfort as driver-partners tap into premium customer segments with higher fare structures, getting on a pathway to greater earnings.
The nationwide campaign is running until 31 December 2025, which welcomes both new and current partners across different conversions.
Building sustainable livelihoods
According to Rashid Shukor, Director of Country Operations and Mobility at Grab Malaysia, these initiatives form part of a broader strategy to support partners in a more sustainable way.
“Our partnership with GIATMARA through GrabAcademy provides driver- and delivery-partners with valuable upskilling and reskilling opportunities, enabling them to thrive not only on the Grab platform but also beyond the partner ecosystem, which supports the government’s ongoing efforts to uplift the contributors of gig economy,” he said.
“By making skills training and vehicle upgrades more accessible through partnerships with GIATMARA and CARSOME, we are helping our partners to build long-term resilience, increase earnings, and chart a clear path forward, all while delivering value to the communities we serve,” he added.
More importantly, moving beyond transactions and trips, Grab is creating a more structured support system that recognises driver- and delivery-partners as skilled professionals and micro-entrepreneurs, rather than just gig workers.
Taking the next step forward
Going forward, Grab Malaysia will continue to invest in its ecosystem, putting in more readily available support resources for every partner.
“Whether you are already on board with Grab or just getting started, now is the time to take the next step to invest in your future for long-term success,” said Rashid, hoping to inspire more partners to seize the opportunity to reach greater heights while growing together with Grab.
Driver- and delivery-partners are encouraged to visit a Grab Driver Centre or log in to the GrabPartner app to explore the GIATMARA training modules, and learn more about the CARSOME upgrade programme at: https://www.grab.com/my/upgradewithgrab.
Happy learning and good luck.
