TUESDAY-18TH DECEMBER 2007-Skills training for youths to reduce jobless rate: CM

Skills training for youths to reduce jobless rate: CM
PAPAR: The Government will increase its efforts to provide skills training to youths, particularly SPM leavers, in its bid to reduce the unemployment rate in Sabah, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman. Musa said he is confident of a reduction of the State’s current unemployment rate of 5.7 per cent if youths are willing to take every opportunity provided by the Government. “There are numerous opportunities to gain knowledge and skills and it is up to the youths to take those opportunities,” he said after launching the Technical and Trade Training Institute’s (ILTP) 25th anniversary and certificate presentation ceremony here yesterday. Musa noted that aside fiom the State Government, the Federal Government also provides numerous training facilities through institutions such as Pusat Giat Mara, Polytechnics and Technical Colleges. Earlier in his speech, he stressed that the Government is paying serious attention to the recent revelation that 70 per cent of SPM leavers are unable to further their tertiary education due to poor academic qualifications or financial difficulties. “This group of youths need to be given skills training in various fields so that they are able to fulfill the job market demands for skilled labour. “The new phenomena of globalisation and liberalisation that forms the concept of a borderless world needs support from all in strengthening ourselves from within as we adapt to current needs,” he said.