Where dropouts can catch the TRAIN to work

Saturday April 11, 2009
Where dropouts can catch the TRAIN to work
By RICHARD LIM and LEE YEN MUN



Where dropouts may TRAIN for the world of work

KUALA LUMPUR: School dropouts need not despair now that there’s a TRAIN to catch.

The Technical Resource and Internship Network (TRAIN) provides vocational training skills to help the less academically inclined secure jobs.

“TRAIN was established to provide opportunities to our youths to get an equally good start in the job market,” said MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat during the programme’s official launch at Wisma MCA yesterday.

“I am pleased to note that the TRAIN programme is non-partisan and multi-racial. This reflects MCA’s multi-ethnic and Malaysian outlook. We believe that every Malaysian is equally deserving of a chance to have a shot in life.”

Ong added that TRAIN’s courses would be conducted in more than one language if needed, to address the multi-racial mix of students.

Managed by Yayasan Pendidikan Bistari foundation, TRAIN has made available more than 5,000 courses that are pledged by 99 institutes and training centres located nationwide.

Eligible trainees under the programme will enjoy scholarships, subsidised fees, as well as private and government loans.

Presently, the foundation is ready to disburse more than 1,000 scholarships a year.

Also, the foundation is ready to help youths secure government and private loans for skills development available through the Human Resources Ministry.

The TRAIN programme has successfully attracted 1,000 applicants since its soft launch two months ago.

“Internship will better expose the trainees to the industry and make them career-ready,” said Ong.

“The entire process will be audited, monitored and certified.

“Also, accreditation from local and international professional bodies mean that the qualifications awarded through the TRAIN programme will be recognised internationally,” Ong said while thanking TRAIN’s media partners, including The Star, for their exemplary commitment in ensuring that the programme benefits the people.

Also present at the launch was MCA Youth chief and Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong who urged school dropouts to participate in the TRAIN programme.

“We need to equip them to be more competitive for the working world,” he said.

“They need to expose themselves to new forms of vocational training and it is important that they receive accreditation from the Department of Skills Development and City and Guilds, among others.”