CREAM OF THE CROP: Riot (seventh left) together with the recipients of the Human Resource Development Award 2013 on Friday night. — Photo by Jeffery Mostapa
KUCHING: The Ministry of Human Resources has allocated RM400 million for registered companies to train their employees in up-skilling and re-skilling programmes to improve the quality of training to produce and skill of the workforce next year.
According to its minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot, the move was to supplement the five main thrusts of human capital development which was announced under Budget 2014.
“Through these thrusts, continuous efforts will be made to improve the quality of training in order to produce a highly skilled workforce,” said Riot during the Human Resource Development Award 2013 which was held at a leading hotel here on Friday night.
He added that the government would implement a single tier for the Malaysian Skills Certificate course levels one to three for six months in all Industrial Training Institutes under the purview of the Manpower Department (JTM).
He disclosed that JTM would spend RM178 million on new equipment with the latest technology.
“A sum of RM330 million will also be allocated to the Skills Development Fund under my ministry. The fund will be used to provide loans for SPM leavers to enroll in skills training courses,” said Riot.
On another note, Riot pointed out that as indicated in the 10th Malaysia Plan, the role of the private sector is crucial in the government’s effort to become a high income nation.
He added that it was imperative for the government to increase the composition of highly skilled workers in the country from 28 per cent to 33 per cent by 2015 and subsequently to 50 per cent by 2020.
“The biggest challenge for Malaysia is the holistic development of its human capital. This includes intellectual capital, artistic skills, communication skills, interpersonal skills, thinking, innovation and creativity,” he said.
Riot also added that physical and technological development must be in tandem with the inculcation of noble values to avoid a situation where material success was not matched by moral values.
The award was held annually to give the nation’s highest recognition to employers and training providers registered with the ministry. Under the Human Resource Minister Awards, the Big Employer category (Manufacturing) Award was won by Assembly Services Sdn Bhd, while TNB Janamanjung Sdn Bhd was adjudged the winner in the Big Employer category (Services) Award.
In the Small and Medium category (manufacturing), the award was won by LH Plus Sdn Bhd while the award for Training Provider category went to K-Pintar Sdn Bhd.
Petronas Penapisan (Melaka) Sdn Bhd, won the Human Resources Development Fund Award in the Big Employer category (Manufacturing) Award while the Big Employer category (Services) Award was won by Kolej Poly-Tech Mara Sdn Bhd.
In the Small and Medium category (manufacturing), the award went to Cape Technology Sdn Bhd while the award for the Small and Medium category (services) was won by Pusal Latihan Kemahiran E-Access Sdn Bhd.
The Award for Training Provider category was given to Pahang Skills Development Centre and Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd.
Bagging the newly introduced Pearl Award was Asean Bintulu Fertiliser Sdn Bhd.
Also present during the award ceremony was Human Resource Development Fund chairman Dato’ Dr. Abdul Razak Abdul and other board of directors under the Ministry of Human Resources.