SUNGAI PETANI, Jan 1 (Bernama) -- The Skills and Career Training Programme (PLKK) by the Kedah Regional Development Authority (KEDA) offers valuable opportunities for students, particularly those from the B40 group in rural areas, to explore careers in skills-based and technology-driven fields.
KEDA general manager, Ismasuhaimi Sharif, said the programme’s main objective is to provide training and skills to enhance students' employment prospects.
“PLKK is a career and skills development programme...we focus on B40 students, especially those from rural areas, to improve their skill sets.
“After completing their three-month courses, some students secure employment, while others opt to continue their studies,” he told a press conference following the presentation of certificates to KEDA-sponsored participants of the PLKK 2023 programme in Sungai Petani here today.
Also present was Kedah Industrial Skills and Management Development Centre (KISMEC) executive director Mohd Yusuri Yusof.
Ismasuhaimi added that KEDA received an allocation of RM600,000 for 2023 to run the programme, covering five course areas: Professional Hairdressing, Automation Industry (Mechatronics), Electronics Industry, Electrical Industry, and Basic Hospitality Services and Operations Training.
To date, 57 students have completed their training at KISMEC as of December last year, with eight in Automation Industry, 19 in Electronics Industry, and 30 in Electrical Industry.
For 2024, KEDA has been allocated RM532,970 to offer nine courses, including agricultural drone operation, air-conditioning systems, pipeline gas, scaffold installation (Level 1), plumbing, solar technology, motorcycle technology, building technology, and gearbox training," he said.
He also shared that efforts to educate children from rural areas would continue this year, with a focus on combining skill development with entrepreneurship.
“Once students acquire technical skills, we will introduce entrepreneurship training so they can grow, establish their own businesses, increase their family income, and ultimately benefit the surrounding community,” he added.
-- BERNAMA
