S’wak Skills an approved NOCN centre

KUCHING: The Sarawak Skills Development Centre (Sarawak Skills) and Borneo Skills Development Centre (BSDC) have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to offer an international certification in Retail Management.

The signing of the MoA was held on April 6 at the Sarawak Skills Group headquarters in Kuching.

The signatories of the MoA were Sarawak Skills executive director Hallman Sabri and director of BSDC, Machat Puthur Unnikrishnan. Sarawak Skills deputy executive director of Education, Training and Student Services Division, Zakri Md Salleh, and BSDC Academic advisor Dr James Eng witnessed the signing of the MoA.

The parties also shared that this momentous occasion paves the way for individuals to earn an industry-relevant certification in retail management.

In this respect, they said diploma and bachelor’s degree holders from the following categories are encouraged to submit their applications: Fresh graduates and unemployed individuals. Applicants must be between 21 and 35 years old.

The two-month Retail Management Programme is fully funded by the Malaysian government.

BSDC will coordinate the training and arrange examination for the participants.

Upon completion of the programme, trainees will receive a certificate issued by Sarawak Skills and BSDC. The certificate will be endorsed by the National Open College Network (NOCN), United Kingdom. An international, leading awarding organization, NOCN serves thousands of centres around the globe with high quality regulated vocational and technical qualifications and apprenticeships.

Indeed, this qualification will enable those who are already working in the retail sector to earn an industry-relevant qualification to facilitate career progression. It will also be relevant to those who wish to embark on careers in the retail sector, said the spokesperson.

Following the signing of the MoA, head of International Business Development, NOCN, Tim Dawkins, presented a plaque to Hallman affirming Sarawak Skills’ status as an approved NOCN centre. This sets the stage for Sarawak Skills to expand its range of globally-recognised programmes.

Also present during the event were Sarawak Skills chief commercial officer (Strategic Engagement and Business Development), Mohamad Isham Fauzi, and other officials.

For more information, contact Sarawak Skills Programme Development manager Zuraimi Johari at 082-539222, 016-8690730, e-mail: zuraimi@ppks.edu.my) and its Business Development manager Abdul Hafidz Ali at 082-539222, 012-8044982, e-mail: hafidzali@ppks.edu. my). Information on various corporate training programmes can also be obtained from Sarawak Skills’ website: www. ppks.edu.my.

Hallman (seated, second right) and Machat sign the MoA, witnessed by Zakri (right) and Eng (left). Also in the picture (left to right, standing) are Mohamad Isham, Dawkins and Sarawak Skills head of corporate communication, Stanley Gona Chee Khiong.