Kota Kinabalu:Yayasan Sabah College of Technology (KTYS) is offering two new short courses – Pastry and Baking as well as Home Cleaning – to meet the needs of the community and increase the competitiveness of its trainees.
Yayasan Sabah Community College (KKYS) Sdn Bhd Chairperson Datuk Tah Nia Jaman said it is in addition to three existing handicraft courses.
“KTYS has been the implementing agency for short courses in handicraft skills training since 2011. This year, KTYS offered two new courses outside of handicrafts.
“Our offers are subject to current needs. We noticed that cleaning services and baking are (skills needed) in the community. KTYS is always alert and we respond to these needs,” she said, after the Special Programme for Sabah Natives (PKAN) Certificates Presentation ceremony at its City Campus in Sembulan, Tuesday.
Earlier, 160 trainees who completed their courses at the KTYS Craft Heritage Centre (PWK) received their certificates.
Since the programme was established in 2011, KTYS has trained 2,190 individuals from all over Sabah, comprising those in the B40 group and registered under e-Kasih.
“Programmes like this assist in human capital development and ensuring people’s wellbeing. Craft skills training under PKAN Sabah is considerate towards low-income natives by providing this training,” she said.
Meanwhile, Yayasan Sabah Director Dato’ Sri Gulamhaidar @ Yusof Khan Bahadar thanked the Prime Minister’s Department’s Implementation Coordination Unit (JPM-ICU) for funding and enabling the success of the KTYS PWK programme.
“An allocation of RM850,000 was channelled through the Sabah State Economic Planning Unit (Upen) to implement the programme this year.
“Many trainees who have completed their courses are already working in the industry, including self-employed.”
“Through continuous collaboration with all stakeholders, including Yayasan Sabah, the handicraft sector will be strengthened while creating more job opportunities and sustainable income for Sabahans,” he said.
He also called on all parties to take full advantage of the various provisions and initiatives under Budget 2024, such as the RM6.8 billion allocated to empower Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) across 12 ministries.
“This includes RM100 million to provide industry-recognised professional certification to TVET graduates, and as an incentive for industries to collaborate with public TVET institutions.
“We hope relevant State Government departments and agencies can disseminate the gist of the budget to the lower levels, so that the target groups know about it,” he said.
