AKADEMI REL PAHANG TO PROVIDE JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH – WAN ROSDY

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 16 (Bernama) – The setting up of Akademi Rel Pahang is set to create job opportunities for young people in Pahang who participate in the training courses offered, said Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.

He assured that this initiative aligns with strategic efforts to ensure an adequate supply of skilled workers for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), which is expected to be completed in December 2026 and operational by January 2027.

“We are aware that Pahang will host seven Malaysia Rail Link (MRL) stations (under the ECRL project), and for that purpose, the state government has allocated RM5 million to realise Akademi Rel Pahang. This academy will be the first of its kind in the country.

“With this academy, we will train skilled young talent, focusing on expertise in areas such as rail maintenance. Insya Allah, in four months, we will hold a launch ceremony at the UCYP University Campus in Kuantan,” he said.

He shared this during a press conference after witnessing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between UCYP University and Malaysia Rail Link (MRL) Sdn Bhd, represented by UCYP Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Muhammad Fauzi Mohd Zain and MRL CEO Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak.

Also present at the event were Chief Secretary to the Government and MRL Chairman Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, along with KYP Education Sdn Bhd Board Chairman Datuk Seri Shahaniza Shamsuddin.

Wan Rosdy said that between 200 and 300 qualified young people aged 18 and above are expected to join the academy's first intake, scheduled for the first quarter of 2025.

“In total, we aim to train 2,000 students, but we will take them in batches. For the first batch, we will accept 200 to 300 participants and continue to recruit, not only from Malaysia and Pahang but also from overseas.

“These trainees are primarily being prepared to work with MRL, but if there is an excess of skilled workers, and they receive offers from other companies, they may pursue those opportunities with MRL’s permission. However, priority must be given to working with MRL as per their agreement,” he added.

Furthermore, he stated that if trainees are unable to secure employment through MRL, they can work with other companies, provided approval is granted by MRL and the state government.

The Mentri Besar  also emphasized that the cost of the six-month training programme at the academy will be fully borne by the state government, using the RM5 million allocation announced under the Pahang State Budget 2025.
 -- BERNAMA