SHAH ALAM - The Academy in Industry Programme (Ail) is a new initiative that allows Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) graduates to begin working at the age of 18 with a monthly wage of RM2,000.
The programme is aimed at those who do not wish to pursue university degrees and would benefit from full-time Technical and Vocational Education and Training Malaysia (TVET) for 24 months.
After completing the programme, graduates will be awarded the Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia (SMK) and can earn a salary of up to RM3,000 per month.
The programme was launched by Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, who said that it is a "more useful" alternative to earning a bachelor's degree.
"Going to universities, having to make a six-year PTPTN loan at 24 years old, busy looking for a job and earning around RM2,000, they said it's not worth it," said Rafizi.
The Ail programme is currently being implemented in 10 private companies, and Rafizi said that he plans to expand the programme to more companies in the near future.