SERI KEMBANGAN: The transport ministry is to work with the human resources ministry under a Human Resource Development Corporation (HRDC) initiative to provide training for lorry drivers amid a shortage of skilled workers nationwide.
Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said the shortage of lorry drivers poses challenges to a wide range of industries across the country.
“Industries are facing a shortage of thousands of drivers,” he told reporters after the launch of the Malaysia Commercial Vehicle Expo here today.
“We want to work with the human resources ministry to tap into the HRDC funding mechanism and train better drivers.”
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He called on industry players to work with the transport ministry to ensure drivers can secure jobs once they complete their training, but said the ministry will not interfere in the wage structure as this will be dictated by the market.
“From my understanding, experienced drivers can get paid around RM3,000,” he said.
Separately, Loke said his ministry is planning to increase the number of buses on the road to improve connectivity.
He said RapidKL had called for tenders to add more than 300 new buses, with Prasarana also looking to procure about 400 vehicles this year.
He also said that purchasing new buses seems to be a much more viable option than to overhaul mid-life buses.
“We are also encouraging the private bus operators to increase their fleets, through the stage bus service transformation programme,” he said, adding that more drivers will be required.
MAN Malaysia managing director Andrew O’Brooks, who took part in the expo, welcomed the initiative to train good lorry drivers. He said those specialising in transporting dangerous goods can earn upwards of RM10,000 a month.
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