ASC best platform to produce world champs

KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean Skills Competition (ASC) is the best platform for Malaysia to produce world champions in the field of skills.

Human Resources Ministry's skills development department director-general, Datuk Dr Pang Chau Leong said, as host of ASC 2016 from Sept 19 to 29, Malaysia would highlight the special skills of the nation's youth.

"We are not only hoping to become champions at the Asean level but also globally, and the ASC 2016 is a symbol of Malaysia's commitment towards producing world champions in the field of skills," he told Bernama at the launch and promotion of ASC 2016 recently.

The ASC 2016 will be held at the Malaysian Agricultural Expo Park Serdang (MAEPS), and is jointly organised by the human resources, works, youth and sports, rural and regional development, education and plantation industries and commodities ministries.

Pang said the competition included 25 areas of skills for youths aged below 22 and was the final selection for the nation's representatives to the World Skills Competition (WSC) 2017, which would be held in Abu Dhabi.

He said from time to time, the human resources ministry conducted assessments to ensure the participants maintained and improved their level of efficiency and performance for the competition.

Pang said selection for the 25 fields of skills considered important in this region were decided by Asean officials at the Official Delegates Meeting in June last year.

Among the skills which will be competed are beauty therapy, cooking, restaurant services, cabinet making, welding and aircraft maintenance.