SKILLS FOR A BETTER LIFE
Skills-based career training programme has benefited 3,500 Orang Asli youths
MORE than 1,000 Orang Asli youths have benefited from the Orang Asli Development Department’s (Jakoa) career training programme since January.
The skills-based career training programme (SCTP), a Federal Government effort to ensure the Orang Asli are not left behind in the country’s development, saw participants undergo training for skills of their choosing under 10 agencies nationwide.
Selangor and Federal Territories Jakoa director Norliza Mohammad Basiron said SCTP aimed to arm Orang Asli youths with work skills.
“The programme focuses on Orang Asli youths who do not have a proper education. They can learn industrial automation engineering, air-condition servicing, greenkeeping, skills in aesthetic services, hairstyling, baking, plumbing and tailoring.
“The government bears the costs for the participants’ training and provides them with a monthly allowance,” she told the New Straits Times at the Air Kuning Orang Asli Village in Bukit Bandaraya here recently.
Norliza was speaking during a SCTP roadshow and Jakoa Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house. Present was Orang Asli Senator Datuk Isa Ab Hamid.
Under the SCTP, participants will undergo training of between three and six months before they are absorbed into their respective agency’s workforce.
Norliza said since the programme’s launch in 2009, more than 3,500 Orang Asli had completed their training.
Jakoa records showed that more than 70 per cent of the 3,500 Orang Asli were holding steady jobs, including several who earned more than RM5,000 a month.
At the roadshow, Jakoa received 230 applications.
Isa said the Orang Asli community appreciated the Federal Government’s initiative to help them.
“This programme has provided an avenue for our younger generation, who did not excel in academics, to acquire skills through training funded by the government.”
The Tok Batin (village head) of the Air Kuning Orang Asli Village, Kamal Bapak, 52, echoed the same sentiment.
“By participating in this programme, the youths can help their families to get out of poverty and lead a better life.”
Rosli Duni, 24, who submitted his application, said he hoped to turn his family’s life around.
The eldest of three siblings said he could not do much to earn a living as he had not completed his schooling.
“I have submitted my application to enrol in the air-conditioning equipment skills programme.
“I am accepting the director’s challenge to change my lifestyle.”