The Star Malaysia

Vocational graduates in demand

- By LEE CHONGHUI educate@thestar.com.my

TECHNICAL and vocational education and training (TVET) students are highly sought after and are being offered good jobs even before graduation.

Deputy Education Minister Datuk Chong Sin Woon said 90% out of 13,000 TVET students secured jobs before they graduated last year.

This proved that the country was in need of more skilled and technical workers, he added.

He advised school-leavers who did not do well in the SPM exam not to rush to join the workforce.

“Students who opt to work immediatel­y after SPM usually get low-paying jobs,’’ he said after launching Eakon Academy, a new vocational skills training institutio­n by the Eakon Group of Companies last Thursday.

Eakon Group of Companies founder and group managing director Datuk Seri Ricky Yaw said the institutio­n provides certified training in the field of refrigerat­ing and airconditi­oning systems, which offers a pathway to profession­al certificat­ion.

“Courses offered are designed to train highly profession­al and skilled technical personnel in this industry.

“Our curriculum has been approved by the Department of Skills Developmen­t,” said Yaw who is Eakon Academy principal.

“We welcome students with PMR and SPM as well as those who are currently working as technician­s who want to keep up,” said Yaw who is Asean-Air Conditioni­ng & Refrigerat­ion Associatio­n president.

Yaw has been involved in the air conditioni­ng, mechanical ventilatio­n and refrigerat­ion constructi­on industry for more than 25 years.

He said Eakon is the first airconditi­oning company to establish an accredited academy in Malaysia.

It was awarded the title of “First Air-Conditioni­ng Company to Establish an Accredited Academy” by the Malaysia Book of Records.

 ?? — FAIHAN GHANI/ The Star. ?? Chong (middle) going on a tour of Eakon Academy, accompanie­d by Yaw (left) and Malaysian Air- Conditioni­ng & Refrigerat­ion Associatio­n president Datuk Andy Kwan.
— FAIHAN GHANI/ The Star. Chong (middle) going on a tour of Eakon Academy, accompanie­d by Yaw (left) and Malaysian Air- Conditioni­ng & Refrigerat­ion Associatio­n president Datuk Andy Kwan.

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