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PEKAN – The public, especially parents, should stop stigmatising youth and sports skills training institutes (ILKBS) as their vocational courses address the needs of industry, said Youth and Sports Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker.
Ti said the marketability of such graduates is 95%, who can see good career progression despite starting at a low level.
“Training is based on the needs of industry players. The practical instruction here ensures they have the necessary skills even though they are just starting out in their careers.
“This has made the institutes a hunting ground for industry players, and has enabled graduates to be self-employed,” he said at a press conference after officiating the eastern zone ILKBS Career Fest 2022 here today offering over 1,200 jobs in 14 industries.
He said the number of industry players participating in the career festival increases every year, as the festival is part of a programme that fortifies a strategic alliance enabling students to receive training.
Ti added that there are presently 22 such institutes across the country offering 196 courses in 14 fields such as automotive, mechanical, information, and electrical technology, as well as hospitality.
He said they typically admit 8,000 students per intake, which enables instructors to pay them full attention and build up their confidence and skills.
“Parents should support their children’s choice to enrol at an ILKBS. Apart from the skills, assistance such as accommodation and allowance are also provided,” he said, while encouraging more non-Bumiputera students to enrol in its technical and vocational education and training programmes as well.
On another matter, he advised youth not to be tricked into accepting job offers overseas and becoming victims of scam syndicates.
Ti believes the number of victims is more than reported and that they should check the offers carefully and ask for advice from others, especially their parents, before accepting.
“We should be careful especially if the salary offer is too good to be true. Don’t be influenced by greed or people you don’t know,” he said. – Bernama, May 26, 2022
