More job options for veterans passing RFEL programme

SEMATAN: Former servicemen and soon-to-retire members of the Armed Forces have the chance to gain skills certification through the newly-introduced Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning ( RFEL) programme.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot said the programme would provide a new hope and better job opportunities for retired servicemen – the majority of whom would get hired as security guards upon returning to civilian’s life.

“This training programme is meant to help them compete in the job market. I feel sad seeing so many servicemen becoming security guards upon retirement. Worst still, many would be involved in illegal activities once they have exhausted their gratuities.

“With the RFEL programme, they can opt for other jobs, like getting the right training to become technicians and other jobs needing skills certification that offer better pay,” he told residents of Kampung Siru Dayak near here during a ‘Leaders-MeetPeople’ session on Thursday evening.

The programme, styled after the ones already implemented in the United Kingdom and Australia, was launched in Kuala Lumpur on Feb 2 by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

The Human Resources Ministry has targeted 1,000 army veterans, under its Key Performance Indicator ( KPI), to obtain skills certification during the first year of the programme’s implementation.

The RFEL involves the Human Resources Development Fund ( HRDF) collaborating with Armed Forces Ex- Servicemen Affairs Corporation ( Perhebat).

The Thursday function also saw Riot’s political secretary Major ( Rtd) Datuk Peter Runin presenting wheelchairs to three former servicemen. However, two of the recipients could not make it to the presentation due to severe paralysis – both were represented by their wives.

Peter is also advisor to the state Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Association ( PV-ATM).

Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting, Ngemah assemblyman Alexander Vincent

This training programme is meant to help them compete in the job market. I feel sad seeing so many servicemen becoming security guards upon retirement. Datuk Seri Richard Riot, Human Resources Minister

and political secretaries to chief minister Edward Kurik and Michael Tiang were also present at the function.

Peter (fourth right) shakes hands with one of the recipients of the wheelchairs. Looking on are Riot and Ting (back row, third and second right, respectively).

(From left) Peter, Riot, Ting and Alexander arrive to a warm welcome at the village.