ONE FOR THE ALBUM: Abdul Rahman and Norashikin (centre) posing with the children after handing out schoolbags and stationery sets to them at the launch of SL1M open day.
KOTA KINABALU: Some 2,000 employment and training opportunities from various companies were offered in the recent 1Malaysia Training Scheme (SL1M) open day at the Industrial Training Institute (ILP) Sepanggar.
The event, which was held from November 18 was attended by around 10,000 jobseekers from around the state and it was officiated by Minister in the Prime Minister Department Datuk Seri Panglima Abdul Rahman Abdul Dahlan.
Apart from SL1M serving as an initiative to provide jobs for youngsters, in a way it is also the government different approach to address the rising cost of living, Abdul Rahman said during a press conference.
He said that SL1M is also vital in providing the jobseekers with soft skills and all the necessary knowledge such as the proper way of dressing and how to answer question during interviews, among others.
He further disclosed that the tourism industry is one of the biggest industries in Sabah now, describing it as a main revenue for the state.
“Need good quality tour guides, people with degrees in hospitality, people who can lead front counters at hotels ‘we do not have enough hotel rooms’ thus, SL1M and other agencies should look into the tourism industry,”he said.
Since the inception of SL1M six years ago, it had benefitted over 140,000 graduates from across the country.
To further elevate the programme, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had announced in the recent budget that RM40 million will be allocated for SL1M.
In addition, companies awarded government tenders are required to give one percent of contract value to the SL1M funds to further boost the said programme.
During the event, Abdul Rahman distributed schoolbags to children.
Also present were SL1M Secretariat Chief Norashikin Datuk Ismail and Sepanggar Umno acting chief Datuk Yakub Khan.
Norashikin said the response from locals was so overwhelming that some of them even came as early as 6am for the event.
SL1M had also provided business opportunities for local vendors to set up stalls during the event. There were also performances by various local celebrities, who had shared their own motivational advice for the attendees.