MARA INTRODUCES PROGRAMME TO INCREASE BUMIPUTERA PARTICIPATION IN HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRICITY SECTOR

TASEK GELUGOR, Sept 30 (Bernama)-- Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), through its Seberang Perai Utara (SPU) Skills Institute (IKM), has introduced a new programme,  Electrical Specialist Competency (Distribution) 11 kilovolt (kV), to increase the participation of skilled Bumiputera workers in the high-voltage electricity sector in the country.

MARA Director-General Datuk Zulfikri Osman said the initiative was in line with efforts to strengthen the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector, as well as ensuring that more Bumiputera workers have high-competence qualifications recognised by the Energy Commission (ST).

He said that currently, Bumiputera participation in the sector is estimated to be only around 10 per cent, and he is confident that the number can be increased through the implementation of the programme, thus meeting the high demand in the job market in the related sector.

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"The SPU IKM is the first institution to introduce this programme, which is specifically designed to produce Category BO Machinery Operators, skilled workers who are qualified in operating 11k high-voltage systems.

"It is seen as significant because the electricity industry is a strategic and critical sector for national development.

"The demand for skilled workers in this field is increasing in line with the rapid progress of the industrial, infrastructure and urban development sectors," he told reporters after the launch of the programme at the institute here today.

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Zulfikri said the programme is designed with two flexible study modes, namely full-time for five months or part-time for ten months.

He said that this approach not only provides opportunities for those who want to devote full time to their studies, but also provides an opportunity for industry workers who want to follow training without having to leave their jobs.

“The first cohort of 40 students will begin their studies this November, serving as pioneers of the programme’s success and paving the way for more students to participate in the future.

“With the certificate, they will be able to take up higher positions with a good starting salary,” he said.

Zulfikri said that IKM had received two 33kV main distribution substation lots and seven 11kV electrical substation lots, which will be used as an industrial-grade practical training platform for the programme, with approval and accreditation given by ST last July 11.

Regarding future plans, he said that MARA, through IKM SPU, also planned to introduce a new Category BO (33kV) Electrical Equipment Maintenance programme, in addition to a proposal to develop training facilities for categories B1 and B4 under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).

-- BERNAMA