Youth-adult partnership required on top of generous Budget 2023

SHAH ALAM - Job opportunities, low wages and technical and vocational training (TVET) are what the youth hope will be resolved under Budget 2023 which is set to be retabled in Parliament by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tomorrow.

National Skilled Workers Organisation (PKPB) secretary general Mohammad Rizan Hassan said to overcome these issues, policies towards youth-adult partnership in workplaces also need to be explored.

"Based on efforts in the field throughout the year 2022, PKPB has created a Skilled Youth Project platform that has successfully helped a total of 4000 youth aged 18 to 35 to work and receive on-the-job training in various sectors, including manufacturing and services.

"Under the Skilled Youth Project platform, there are two programs, namely Replacement of Foreign Workers (Replacement of Foreign Workers) in collaboration with Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC), an agency under the International Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI), and Skill for Youth (S4Y) under the Youth and Sports Ministry."

Mohammad Rizan further added that a total of 40 industries of various sizes fully support this effort, which includes leadership skills training in the workplace as well as personality development for employees over a three-month period.

"This type of collaboration is the foundation of youth retention efforts, and we see the direction of career development more clearly."

He also said that true partnership is one where each party has the opportunity to make suggestions and decisions, while each contribution is recognised and evaluated.

"This partnership is one where adults with workplace experience are ready to work and train the youth while the youth see the place.

"Work is more than just a job with a monthly salary; it is also a place for lifelong training and learning," he added.

He further expressed his hope that if this effort is supported by the government and training providers, the Prime Minister’s desire for the industry to be a leader in TVET will have a big impact and change the training landscape in the country.