| Azaraimy HH |
UNDER the Human Resource Development Fund of the 10th National Development Plan (RKN10), the Department of Economic Planning and Development (JPKE) of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has introduced two pilot projects in the Graduate Apprenticeship Scheme (GAPS), namely in the accounting and Info-CommunicationS Technology (ICT) sectors.
The scheme aims to provide a minimum of 12 months of real working experience for unemployed graduates in the private sectors.
With the cooperation of the hosting companies and appointed training provider, the scheme hopes to enhance the employability skills of these graduates.
In the second pilot project of GAPS targeting the ICT sector, three occupations have been identified based on the industry’s demand: Database Administrator, Website Designer and Mobile Application Developer.
Participants were selected from a list of unemployed graduates with a minimum of Higher National Diploma (HND) qualification in the ICT-related fields. The list was obtained from the Local Employment and Workforce Development Agency, Ministry of Home Affairs portal.
Photo shows the ICT Sector JPKE apprentices together with the course facilitators of KMAS Xpedia. – AZARAIMY HH
KMAS Xpedia Sdn Bhd was appointed by JPKE to be the training provider and coordinator for this second pilot project.
KMAS worked with hosting companies to develop the training programmes and the list of competencies required for the identified occupations.
It also assisted the companies to select their apprentices through intensive interviews and tests.
A total of 21 apprentices were selected by 10 hosting companies from the industries of hotel and tourism, aviation, airline, banking and finance, retail and merchandising, ICT, medical and telecommunications.
The apprentices will be exposed to a combination of classroom learning of technical skills with job attachment exposure at their assigned companies.
Besides technical skills, KMAS will also incorporate soft skills training to ensure apprentices will acquire the necessary skills to cope with common challenges related to work.
Among the skills that will be covered include effective communication using coloured brain psychology, presentation skills, customer service success and solution-driven thinking.
For continuous monitoring of the apprentices during the 12-month apprenticeship period, KMAS will regularly visit them in their assigned companies. Feedback from the job supervisor or mentor will also be closely monitored to ensure improvement and development of the apprentice.
In relation to this, a memorandum of understanding was signed yesterday between the apprentices, hosting companies, KMAS Xpedia and JPKE during a ceremony held at The Airport Mall.
Host companies present were The Empire Hotel & Country Club, TAIB, Baiduri Bank, Royal Brunei Airlines, CAE Aviation, QAF Auto Sdn Bhd, Concepts Technologies and BAG Networks.
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