KESUMA COLLABORATES WITH MOHE TO EXTEND STUDENT INTERNSHIP PERIODS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) is working with the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) and universities to extend the practical training periods for students.

Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong said the move is aimed at improving students’ skills and enhancing their employability.

“For instance, law students undergo a nine-month chambering period, where they gain hands-on experience on the job, instead of just theoretical learning. Similarly, doctors complete one to two years of housemanship.

“This approach strengthens students’ skills. Our data shows about 40 per cent of interns secure employment with the same company where they completed their internship,” he said during the Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today..

He was responding to a supplementary question from Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari (PH-Sungai Petani) regarding collaboration between KESUMA and MOHE to produce higher-quality graduates.

Sim said another collaboration between KESUMA and MOHE is through the Internship Incentive (ILHAM KESUMA) programme which aims to offer between 20,000 to 30,000 structured internships for students.

“These internships are designed to provide meaningful learning experiences where interns gain specific skills, rather than performing tasks like carrying bags or making coffee. Additionally, these internships are paid, not unpaid," he said.

In addition, Sim said the collaboration of 12 ministries through the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, is one of the key initiatives to further empower TVET students and graduates.

"We view TVET programmes as a strategic way to enhance the employability of our graduates. The employability rate for TVET graduates is over 90 per cent and in fact, three Industrial Training Institutes (ILPs) under KESUMA have achieved 100 per cent employability for their graduates," he said.

Sim also cited the Malaysian Department of Statistics’ (DOSM) Labour Force Survey report, which showed a decrease in underemployment related to skills, dropping to 36.8 per cent in the third quarter of this year, compared to 37.3 per cent in the corresponding period in 2023.

Sim further addressed a statement by Alor Setar MP Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (PN-Alor Setar), who had claimed that underemployment among skilled workers had increased by 100,000 to 1.95 million people, compared to the previous quarter.

"The actual increase in underemployment was only 10,000 people in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the previous quarter. The government is always proactive and committed to tackling the issue of underemployment, especially among local workers," Sim said.

Sim was responding to a question from Afnan Hamimi, who asked about the government’s efforts and initiatives to address the 1.95 million highly educated workers in Malaysia working in low-skilled jobs, with an increase of about 100,000 workers compared to the previous quarter.

-- BERNAMA