Putting Skill-Training In The Right Perspective

By Nabilah Saleh and Suriani Razali KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11 (Bernama) -- The common perception still persists that good academic standing guarantees a good future. Malaysians are familiar with statements such as:"Study as far as you can go, even up to a masters degree. It will be easier for you to secure a job and earn a big salary!". However, does this statement still hold true? Is the academic line the only choice for Malaysians seeking higher education?. TRANSFORMING THE MINDSET The Human Resource Department's (JTM) Director-General Romli Hassan told Bernama recently that skills and academic qualifications have their respective roles and significance. “However, I do not know where we went wrong, but skill is not given due recognition and the society harbours a serious misconception that skill-training is for those less academically inclined or for school dropouts. "We cannot run away from the fact that in those days, the society viewed academic achievements highly. However, now, skills, too, can serve as the route for a great future," he said. "It is time for the community to heed the government's call to transform the existing mindset. Skills, too require commitment and hard work and have their own merits and rewards," he added. There are many opportunities to learn skills. the Human Resource Training Institute (ILTJM) under the human resource department has rolled out numerous skill-based courses -- mechanical, automotive, foundry, arc and gas welding, electric, mechatronic, ceramic, machining and many more. ILTJM THE PIONEER OF SKILLED WORKFORCE According to Romli, "ILTJM consists of 22 Industrial Training Institutes (ILP), four Advanced Technology Training Centre and one Japan-Malaysia Technical Institute (JMTI). "We offer programmes at certificate- and advanced-certificate levels, while ADTEC and JMTI offer programmes at diploma- and advanced-diploma levels," he said. In line the rapidly changing technology, and looking at the big demand for skilled workers, JTM has plans to open more ILP, ADTEC and JMTI nationwide. "The demand for skilled workers has gone up, especially in the manufacturing, services and construction sectors that collectively contributed 95 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product in 2010," he said. SKILLS SECTOR MORE PRACTICAL Skill-training encompasses 70 percent practical training, the remainder being made up of classroom theories, explained Romli, adding that skills in welding, engineering, and automotive are more practical to learn, looking at the demand for skilled workers in these fields. For students who were keen, he added, skills can provide a competitive and innovative edge in their future career. "Skills call for a sharp mind, good coordination of the legs and hands, and an innovative mind. With all these, the skills that one picks up can translate into a highly rewarding career," he pointed out. He provided an example of ILP's trainees who have successfully ventured into the welding business and earn up to RM12,000 per month. Romli also emphasised that skills form part and parcel of life, and provided automotive skill as a good example. JTM is optimistic about the potential of skills and believe they should be the choice for students in continuing with their education. FUTURE PLANNING In providing greater recognition for skills, Romli noted that his department has high hopes that the ILP, ADTEC or even JMTI would be upgraded to a university. "Looking at the market and current needs, the skills sector is seen as equally important in producing a competent workforce.” Romli called upon the media to further expose skills as a choice for the younger generation in continuing with education. This would help in enticing more people to take up skills. "For so long, the skills sector played a secondary role to our mainstream education system. Now, the time has come to view the skills sector as the primary contributor for our education," he said. -- BERNAMA Malaysia