Skim Latihan 1Malaysia (SLIM) Launched Today

Najib To Launch 1Malaysia Training Scheme Tomorrow

PETALING JAYA, May 31 (Bernama) — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Tuesday the Skim Latihan 1Malaysia (SLIM) to be launched by him Wednesday will help to reduce the unemployment rate among graduates in the country.

He said that under the programme, graduates would be provided with training and internship with government-linked companies (GLCs).

They would be engaged as interns for a period of one year after which they would be given the option of being employed by the GLCs or find employment elsewhere in the market, he said.

“The first batch of 3,000 (graduates) will be taken in due course and that is to ensure that we have minimum unemployed graduates in the country,” he said in his luncheon speech at the Youth Action Forum, here.

The prime minister is scheduled to launch the Skim Latihan 1Malaysia (1Malaysia Training Scheme), which comes under the ambit of Human Resources Ministry, in Putrajaya Wednesday.

The scheme was announced by Najib when he tabled Budget 2011 in parliament last October.

The prime minister had said then that the nation required human capital that continually enhanced knowledge through upskilling and reskilling, and that the programme would commence with an allocation of RM500 million.

He had also said that the programme would comprise three components. First, RM200 million would be allocated to conduct part-time training in the evenings and weekends in selected training centres nationwide.

Second, the programme would also include an allocation of RM200 million from the Human Resource Development Fund to be used by companies to fund specific training programmes for their employees.

Third, the Human Resources Ministry would provide RM100 million to enable employees to enhance skills in various technical fields.

On Tuesday’s luncheon with the prime minister was to mark the end of the four-day event of the Youth Nation Summit 2011 and Youth Action Forum.

Najib said the event was a useful and an effective platform for the youths to voice their opinions and for the government and the corporate sector to listen to the views and recommendations of the young.

“Indeed, the summit has been a great platform for the youth of Malaysia who are interested to make an impact in the community. You asked for a platform to voice your opinions to the highest decision maker (the prime minister). Ladies and gentlemen, you got it!” he said to strong applause from the 350 youth leaders.

Najib said the Youth Nation Summit 2011 and Youth Action Forum were among the new platforms to create new avenues for greater engagement and empowerment for youths.

At the event, Najib, who is also the finance minister, launched the myHarapan Micro Funding, a conditional grant structured to provide financial assistance to youth movements with the aim of bringing about social value.

He also launched a strategic collaboration between 1Malaysia Development Berhad or 1MDB and myHarapan, which puts the recipients of this fund on a fast track to be considered for the Dana Belia 1Malaysia, a platform for young people to channel their talent and energy towards promoting youth development as well as solving social issues in the country.

myHarapan is a Youth Trust Foundation that supports youth and youth projects that contribute to the social economy of Malaysia by providing platforms and opportunities.

Najib said the youth formed a very critical component of Malaysian society, and added that he was excited to know about the various initiatives undertaken by them, such as the teaching of English in remote areas and awareness in combating HIV/AIDS.

Touching on the Gathering of One Million Youths in Putrajaya, he said he had visited many of the outlets there.

“I even sprained my knee … but what really lifted my spirits was the sense of vibrancy and dynamism shown by Malaysian youths,” he said.

— BERNAMA