MIDA's apprenticeship programme to go nationwide in phase two

KUALA LUMPUR, March 21 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian investment Development Authority (MIDA) aims to expand implementation of its Apprenticeship Programme to the national level with the participation of more than 100 companies and 700 trainees.

Deputy chief executive officer Zabidi Mahbar said from next month, the agency will expand the programme nationwide to attract more companies and trainees with potential to participate in it.  

"The second phase of the programme will begin at the end of next month and MIDA urges more companies to step up and participate to create even more places for training,” he added.

He said this after witnessing the presentation of the Malaysian Skills Certificate to 24 graduates of the programme in conjunction with the Apprenticeship Programme 2019 Convocation Ceremony.   

The certificates were presented by the deputy secretary general of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Norazman Ayob.

Zabidi said the Apprenticeship Programme was a two-year initiative targeting Form Three Assessment (PT3) school leavers.

"The programme is based on the German training model of the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) where 70 per cent of the training is undertaken in industry and 30 per cent at training institutes,” he added.

He said it was a fast track programme aimed at preparing skilled workers who can be immediately absorbed into industry.

The Apprenticeship Programme is the result of cooperation between MIDA, the Education Ministry, Skills Development Department and the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers.

The first phase of the programme involved five companies, namely Royal Selangor International Sdn Bhd, Top Glove Corporation Bhd, Gethi Engineering Sdn Bhd, Fire Fighter Industry Sdn and YKGI Holdings Bhd.

It also embraced three vocational colleges - Setapak Vocational College, the Klang Vocational College and Sungai Buluh Vocational Collage.

-- BERNAMA