Ekuinas’ Iltizam programme boosts graduates’ employability
KUALA LUMPUR: Ekuiti Nasional Bhd (Ekuinas), through its Iltizam Professional Development Programme (PDP), has nurtured professionals in various industries to meet current job market demands.
The 12-month structured management programme, which is open to graduates of local universities, not only helps boost their employability, but also nurtures them into a valued workforce with the right attitude to progress in their chosen paths.
Ekuinas stakeholders’ interest director Hizwani Hassan said since its inception in 2012, the programme had attracted many graduates.
“This year, we received 7,000 applications, compared with 3,000 last year.”
He said the programme was very comprehensive. Besides securing placement at the relevant industries to sharpen their skills, participants also attended classes for group training.
“They get benefits such as a monthly salary of RM2,500, medical insurance and annual leave,” said Hizwani.
“About 80 per cent of the participants managed to secure permanent employment after completing their training. Ekuinas will monitor their progress until they are offered permanent positions at any organisation,” said Hizwani.
Former participant Mat Fazli Mat Johari, who is now with renowned audit firm Ernst & Young, said the programme served as a benchmark for him to push himself further to succeed in his career.
“Under this programme, I was placed at the Cosmopoint College and was tasked to handle international students. I had to apply all the knowledge I learnt during my training, especially on handling work pressure.”
Mat Fazli, 27, who has a degree in Hotel Management from Unitar International University, said the programme had helped him become a positive thinker.
“I learnt to always be optimistic and rise from failure as it is not the end of a journey in any endeavour we pursue,” he said.
Another past participant, Norhilawati Hamzah, 31, said after completing her studies, she did not get any job offer until she enrolled in PDP.
After that, she managed to secure a permanent post at Kinderkaizen, a children’s mind development centre.
“I wanted to have more experience to develop myself. PDP was a golden opportunity for me to pursue a professional development programme,” she said.
Applications for Iltizam PDP will be open in February.
For more information on Iltizam and its programmes, visit www.ekuinas.com.my/iltizam.