Penang leads again retraining workforce to world-class standards
Story by Danny Ooi
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
The German Dual Vocational Training Programme (GDVT) has finally been introduced in Penang.
This represents a separate prong to increasing our talent pool in Penang.
“With this initiative, the State Government is happy to financially support this industry-driven
programme for Penang-based companies with a sponsorship of more than RM2 million,” Chief
Minister Lim Guan Eng said at the German Dual Vocational Training Programme signing
ceremony between the the State Government of Penang and Penang Sports Development Corporation (
PSDC) on Sept 18.
Present were chief executive officer of PSDC, Muhamed Ali Hajah Mydin and Penang State
Financial Officer, Datuk Mokhtar Mohd Jait. Joining them were executive director of Penang
Institute, Zairil Khir Johari and Deputy Chief Minister 1, Datuk Rashid Hasnon.
Lim said the introduction of the programme in Penang is a significant step. The German dual
vocational training system represents a win-win situation for all parties involved. Every year, around
two thirds of the year’s youth begin training as the first step towards their vocational and personal
career.
The nature of the dual system of vocational training means that cooperation between the two
learning venues – industry and vocational school – plays a key role in work-based training.
“The State Government is aware that up skilling the local workforce will affect local businesses.
Hence, it should not be concentrated only in the multinational companies. I am glad that about 60%
of PSDC’s members are small and medium sized entities (SMEs).
“With this financial sponsorship. I hope more SMEs will invest in up skilling their existing employees
or in attracting talents. In the first stage, the GDVT program covers the courses for Diploma and
Advanced Diploma in the field of Mechatronics.
“Talent is universal but opportunity is not. The state government hopes this initiative will provide
our talents with the opportunity,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Muhamed Ali said the GDVT programme is accredited by both the Skill Development
Department (JPK) and the Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MGCC).
“This programme does not only benefit the industry but also the existing workforce, especially
operator-level employees and fresh school levers,” he added.
GDVT concept follows the German Dual Education System Approach where apprentices are
trained in a two-pronged approach. They will embark on both theoretical training in the classroom and
practical industrial training at their company simultaneously. This gives the employees an opportunity
to obtain a recognised certificate or diploma and be skilled without having to give up their jobs and
source of income.
He commented that for Batch 1, there is a total enrolment of 22 apprentices from three companies,
namely B Bruan Medical Industries Sdn Bhd, OSRAM Semiconductors (M) Sdn Bhd, and Inari
Technology Sdn Bhd.
“The cost to undertake the 2.5 year diploma course under this programme is RM18,550 per
person, while the cost for the 1-year Advanced Diploma course is RM6,500 per person.
“With the state government’s sponsorship, each participating company will save 20% on the
course fee for their employees. The next intake for this programme is in November, and a few
companies have already expressed their interest in signing up their employees for this.
“We strongly believe that the GDVT is the way forward in developing skilled manpower.
We are confident that with the support of the State Government and the industry, we will be able
to carve a successful pathway for employees and fresh school graduates to pursue a successful
career in the manufacturing and automation sectors,” Muhamed Ali added.
Pix Caption:
Lim (centre), posing for a selfie with the first batch of apprentices for the GDVT courses.
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