Malaysia's high school dropouts to receive skills training

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - Malaysia will provide skills training to high school dropouts, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said Monday.

Ramli announced plans to involve 200 companies in the Academy in Factory program by the end of this year.

The aim is to provide training to 20,000 school leavers, equipping them with the necessary skills to become proficient workers, according to local media.

"This approach is more appealing to young school leavers compared to pursuing higher education for another two or three years before entering the workforce. By entering directly into employment, they can continue their studies and earn a certificate simultaneously, aligning with the aspirations of the current generation," said Rafizi.

He said the program involves 18 months of training for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (Malaysian Certificate of Education) school leavers by partnering companies, culminating in the attainment of a level one Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM).

He added that the government plans to announce incentives during the program's official launch in a few weeks.

Following a meeting with strategic partners, Rafizi revealed that the pilot project for this government initiative, facilitated through the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) and strategic partners, will involve 10 companies.

The pilot project will include nine local companies and one multinational corporation operating in sectors such as automotive, semiconductor manufacturing, food, aerospace and palm oil manufacturing.

To participate in the program, companies must first obtain accreditation in reskilling and upskilling.

Nearly half of Malaysian high-school graduates chose not to move on to universities in 2021, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said in the statement.