KUALA LUMPUR, March 4 — McDonald’s Malaysia, for the first time, held its Vocational Academy’s convocation ceremony today for almost 50 youths who completed their training under the Vocational Apprenticeship Programme.
Its managing director and local operating partner, Azmir Jaafar said the programme was an effort by McDonald’s Malaysia in raising standards in human capital development by the company and in unearthing new talents among youths, which was in line with the country’s agenda of boosting the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Programme.
“Our training programme is industry-based for 18 months and combines 70 per cent of practical training at McDonald’s restaurants and 30 per cent theory in the classroom,” he said at a news conference after the convocation ceremony. It was officiated by secretary-general of the Human Resource Ministry, Datuk Amir Omar.
“This programme is a collaboration between McDonald’s Malaysia and the ministry based on the National Dual Training System (NDTS) introduced by the ministry.
“Upon completing their training, the youths involved will be awarded with the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) Level 3, which is recognised by the Human Resource Ministry, and are then eligible to advance their career at McDonald’s or in the food service industry,” he added.
Meanwhile, he said the fast-food restaurant chain was committed to achieving the target of 5,000 apprentices by the end of 2020.
“The apprenticeship programme was introduced in 2018 and to date, we have a total of 1,200 youths from across the country undergoing this programme and we will add another 3,800 by the end of this year,” he said.
Azmir said McDonald’s Malaysia also collaborated with the Education Ministry and several agencies including the Zakat Centre and Social Welfare Department in the states on taking special education children and the young from low-income families into the academy.
He said McDonald’s Malaysia also targeted to add 150 fast-food restaurants by 2025 which would provide jobs to over 10,000 people, especially to the apprentices from its academy.
According to him, besides its Vocational Academy building in Kuala Lumpur, McDonald’s has three training centres in Selangor, Penang and Johor to expose the trainees to the actual work situation.
The Vocational Academy Apprenticeship Programme is fully funded by Mcdonald’s Malaysia and around RM30,000 including a monthly allowance of RM1,200, accommodation, medical benefits and food has been spent on each apprentice.
Source : BERNAMA
