230 MAF Personnel Complete Work-based Learning Programme Last Year

By Mohd Adli Shahar

KUALA LUMPUR, March 14 (Bernama) -- A total of 230 Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) personnel completed the Work-Based Learning 2.0 (WBL 2.0) programme last year, receiving academic certification through a strategic collaboration between the MAF and the Higher Education Ministry.

MAF Veterans Affairs Department (JHEV) Career and Socioeconomic Division director Irma Jasmin Ishak said of the total, 138 were from the army, 42 from the navy and 50 from the air force.

She said the programme is implemented in collaboration with the Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM), which offers diploma programmes in Business Administration, Logistics Management and Defence Technology.

She said that this year, 231 personnel comprising 141 from the army and 90 from the air force are pursuing various courses at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), including Diploma in Culinary Arts, Hotel Management, Islamic Education, Office Management and Technology, as well as Sports Studies.

“The programme is actively promoted as the Defence Ministry recognises the need for certification among MAF veterans to enhance their employability in pursuing a second career after completing their service in the armed forces,” she told Bernama recently.

The WBL programme aims to enhance personnel employability through higher academic qualifications to enable them to secure a second career after leaving the service, while also improving cognitive skills, job functions, personal attributes, ethics and professionalism, as well as encouraging lifelong learning.

Meanwhile, Irma Jasmin said JHEV continues to strengthen strategic cooperation with various government agencies and private companies through the second career initiative, which saw 1,083 veterans successfully secure employment last year.

She said the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) recorded the highest intake of MAF veterans, with more than 500 former personnel gaining employment since 2021.

On employment opportunities with the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS), she said applications are currently in the screening phase after the recruitment closed on March 4.

“The first phase requires 50 MAF veterans under the Special MyStep scheme to be deployed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Port Klang,” she said.

-- BERNAMA