Course at academy to include shoe, handbag making

SERI ISKANDAR: The Rural Development Ministry yesterday suggested that additional courses in shoe and handbag making to be introduced at the Kemas Skills Academy (AKK) in Seri Iskandar and Gopeng.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun, said the academy currently offered certificate and diploma courses in fashion and tailoring of male and female clothing.

“The course should be expanding, it should not focus only on clothing, but also bag and shoes,” she told a media conference after the AKK 11th convocation ceremony here yesterday.

A total of 166 graduates in tailoring and culinary from the two AKK received their scrolls.

She also suggested that higher level courses, such as Advanced Diploma-level, to be introduced at the Seri Iskandar AKK.

He hoped the Advanced Diploma course, which would be for one year and six months, could be conducted at the academy by July next year.

“We have to bring to the mainstream Technical and Vocational Educational Training (TVET) to meet the needs of the workforce in fashion and small industries,” she said.

Earlier in her speech, Rina said there were currently 2,738 Kemas skills classes in tailoring, creative arts, cooking and self-grooming were being conducted nationwide.

“This is part of the efforts to increase the income of households in the B40 group towards improving the quality of life and harmony of the people,” she added. - Bernama