FOR Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) school-leavers, choosing the right institution is crucial to furthering their studies.
The choice made may either lead them to a bright career path or jeopardise their future.
One institution they may want to consider is the Walta Centre of Excellence (WCOE), a technical and vocational training centre that is located in Batu Kawan Industrial Park (BKIP).
The training centre provides skills training for SPM leavers and a guaranteed employment opportunity with the manufacturing industry in Penang upon graduation.
WCOE manager Chin Ting Foong said the establishment of the training centre is to produce graduates who are highly skilled, creative, innovative and have a lifelong learning culture.
“Here in WCOE, we provide two types of courses for our students to choose from, namely industrial automation and machining operations.
“Each course provides a 10-month training. Our machining operations course is at our Prai branch and the industrial automation course is at our headquarters in BKIP.
“Our syllabus is 70% practical and 30% theoretical and meets all the criteria and conditions as set out in the National Occupational Skills Standards.
“Certified vocational training officers will equip the students with real industry skills and knowledge training.
“After the 10 months of training and passing the required examination, the students are expected to be certified with the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) Level Two or Three. They can thus start their career as a junior technician,” Chin told Buletin Mutiara during an interview at WCOE headquarters in BKIP recently.
Also present were Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik, WCOE chief executive officer Moey Lip Seng and WCOE assistant manager Farahaida Abdul Rahman.
Chin added that WCOE also uses real industry-grade and standard training equipment and machines during the training session.
“Most of the equipment and machines here are built by us and they are the same equipment and machines used by the manufacturing industry.
“So, the students can have real hands-on training which will make it easier for them to apply the skills and knowledge at the industry after they have graduated,” he said.
According to Chin, a junior technician’s gross income starts from RM1,700 and can go up to more than RM3,000 per month, including other allowances and overtime.
“They can also qualify for salary increment and promotion (based on performance) depending on the factory that they are working with.
“Usually, when they have registered to further their study at WCOE, we have already identified potential manufacturing companies in BKIP and Prai that are looking for technical talent in the industrial automation and machining operations fields.
“So, once they have graduated, they can immediately start to work with the company.
“Apart from that, graduates from WCOE also can continue to work or upgrade their qualifications to Diploma and Bachelor’s degree if they so wish at Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) as the higher learning institution is our official partner.
“After all, these new technicians are highly sought after and will help as well to alleviate the severe shortage of technical talent in our industry in Penang nowadays,” he added.
Farahaida said registration is now open at WCOE and urged SPM school-leavers to apply for the courses.
“They can call us at 016-751 5899 for further inquiries as the place is limited and we will have to interview the candidates first.
“Among the requirements are they must be a Malaysian citizen, able to read, write and calculate, physically and mentally fit and not colour blind,” she said.
According to Moey, WCOE also has a plan to expand its current facility in BKIP in the next few years to accommodate more students.
“As of now, we can only accept a maximum of 50 students in the industrial automation course (in BKIP) and another 50 in the machining operations course (Prai branch).
“By expanding our facility, we can include more students who are interested in the industrial automation course and thus provide more technical talent in that particular field for manufacturing companies in BKIP,” he said.
Meanwhile, Goh said for young talents to reach their full potential, access to a quality institution is of paramount importance.
“And WCOE has that kind of quality to produce skilled talents for the manufacturing industry.
“This training centre also is suitable for those who are not excelling in their academics but more interested in the technical field instead.
“And it is good for the students as they get a guaranteed employment opportunity with the manufacturing industry in Penang upon graduation,” he said.
Goh added that he would also work closely with WCOE to recruit more SPM school-leavers, especially those from the B40 families in his constituency.
“Together with WCOE, we will go to the secondary schools in my constituency to give some exposure and information to Form 4 and Form 5 students about the programme offered by WCOE.
“And I will also find a sponsor for them as well, be it from the state government or any private organisations.
“This is a golden opportunity for them, especially for those who don’t qualify or are interested to further their study in Form 6, matriculation or any higher learning institutions. They can join this training institution.
“WCOE is also located at a strategic location within the industrial park, making it easier for the students to gain as much experience and exposure that they need.
“At the same time, after they have graduated and worked in the manufacturing industry for quite some time, they can also become entrepreneurs or subcontractors offering their services to the factories in here and thus open up more opportunities,” said Goh.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis