Optimise Use Of ILKAs To Produce More Skilled Workers - Najib

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 23 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he wanted use of the 434 Public Skills Training Institutes (ILKAs) in the country to be optimised to achieve the nation's target of having 33 per cent of the workforce to be skilled workers by 2015 and 50 per cent by 2020.

He said the percentage of skilled workers in the country was still low, at 28 per cent last year, and as such various initiatives need to be taken to raise the figure.

"The ILKAs throughout the country have the capacity to train 200,000 people at any one time.

"Imagine, if the capacity of this 434 ILKAs can be optimised, we won't have to build new institutes and buildings but instead we can optimise assets already available in the public service system," he said at the Prime Minister's Golden Hand ceremony held at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park in Serdang near here Thursday.

Also present were Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem and Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof.

Najib said there were now 753 Private Skills Training Institutes (ILKS) authorised by the Skills Development Department to provide skills training nationwide.

"I believe ILKAs and ILKS play significant roles in assisting the government produce skilled manpower to meet the needs of industries and boost the country's competitive edge.

"Therefore, the programmes offered have to be modified in line with current developments to ensure marketability of graduates," he said.

He reminded both ILKAs and ILKS to cooperate holistically in raising the quality of skills training by optimising their facilities and expertise.

Najib also called on trainees to further their studies to internationally recognised institutions for better value in the employment market.

Recognising the need for skilled manpower, Najib said the government had allocated RM200 million in the 2014 Budget to upgrade and enforce double shifts at National Youth Skills Institutes as well as RM178 million to improve and maintain buildings and equipment at the Manpower Department Training Institutions in line with the latest technology.

Apart from that, he said Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad also provided an allocation of RM400 million for registered companies to give employees upskilling and reskilling training.

"An allocation of RM330 million has also been channeled to the Skills Development Fund Corporation as loans for post-SPM youths take up skills training courses," he said.

Najib said the government had also created an initiative under the SkillsMalaysia InVITE programme with the aim of bringing in international students to undergo skills training in the country and currently, there were 2,119 international students taking up such programmes.

Meanwhile, Najib described skills competitions as an important agenda in mainstream skills training and platform to unearth talents, creativity and innovation among trainees and competent teaching staff.

He said the organising of the skills contests should be expanded and continued to support national skills manpower development for a competitive workforce.

"The skills competition profile in Malaysia should also be upgraded so that the agenda could be empowered to international level.

"I urge more private companies to give undivided support in sponsoring skills contests and employment opportunities to winners and participants especially at international level," he said.

Najib also expressed hope that national representatives in the Asean Skills Competition in Hanoi, Vietnam this year and the World Skills Competition in Sao Paolo next year would bring back honours for the country and prove Malaysian skills were of world class standard.

At the ceremony, Najib also announced additional incentives of RM10,000 for winners of the Prime Minister's Golden Hand Award for the MySkills category and the 2014 Malaysia Skills competition.