Agro-food graduates marketability rate reaches 73 per cent
PUTRAJAYA - The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry training centre gradutes' marketability rate averages at 65 to 73 per cent.
Its minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the numbers were recorded within the past five years.
“As of Feb 28 69.5 per cent of 629 graduates have successfully placed themselves in jobs in their respective fields,” he said after attending the 11th Convocation Ceremony of the training centre at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, here on Thursday.
He said the human capital empowerment in the agro-food sector plays an important role in long term development.
“Most of them entered the centre according to their respective courses but some chose to become agro-food entrepreneurs,” he said.
He said the ministry plays an important role towards making the agriculture sector more modern, dynamic and competitiveby training more skilled workers according to commercial standards.
“For breeders graduating we hope they will continue in the same field because the country (currently) imports 80 per cent of beef and mutton,” he said.
Mohamad said the ministry through its affliated institutes and training centres were always reviewing and improving the curriculum used as well as allocating resources for infrastructure and facility development for programmes to be implemented.
“This is all for the purpose of developing graduates that are competent in several agricultural fields, this is not only to fulfill the skilled labour demands for the public and private sectors but to produce graduates that can become entrepreneurs in the agriculture field,” he said.
He said as the human capital which has been provided with various knowledge based on industrial practices, graduates must contribute ideas and efforts in transforming the country’s agro-food sector so it does not get left behind in the IR 4.0 wave.
“I believe that all the skills and knowledge acquired will allow you as a TVET graduate to explore further in the agriculture industry through new technological applications and contributing to food security and environmental sustainability,” he said.
Mohamad said even though TVET is not the main choice of the youth, but the jobs based on this expertise can open a wide array of entrepreneurship especially in agriculture.
“I was informed yesterday that a career matching programme was held for graduates who are still looking for a job together with agro-food field companies and the Agrobank to aid graduates in obtaining financing for those interested in becoming entrepreneurs in the field,” he said in his speech.
629 graduates were celebrated in the historical ceremony.
Out of the total 101 graduates completed their Malaysian Skills Diploma, Malaysian Skills Certificate (307), Agricultural Certificate (156), Malaysian Veterinary Certificate (45) and Fisheries Certificate (20).
The ceremony had six graduates nominated based on their excellence and entrepreneurship to receive eight special awards namely the minister’s Gold Medal Special Award and Chief Secretary’s Special Award.
The rest were Agrobank Entrepreneurship Graduate Special Award, Agriculture Director General Special Aawrd, Veterinary Services Director General Special Award, Fisheries Director General Special Award, BPKLP Director Special Award and Mada General Manager Special award.
The National Agricultural Skills Training Programme (PLKPK) offered by the ministry is a skill competency based training that focuses on technical skills in particular fields.
Graduates will receive their Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) and the Malaysian Skills Diploma (DKM).
There were 15 accredited centres throughout Malaysia that run the PLKPK programme with 10 course options.
The fields of study offered are crops Ruminant Livestock, Poultry Livestock, Rice Production, Marine Aquaculture, Freshwater Aquaculture, Food Production (Processing), Marketing, Fishery Capturing Technology and Agricultural Machinery Maintenance.
Other certifications include Agricultural, Veterinary Services and Fisheries Certificate.
Applications to follow the PLKPK programme must meet the prescribed conditions.
The education is free monthly allowances, accommodation, and meals covered by the government.
