Train and Place Scheme (TPS)

The Star - Wednesday, 20 May 2009

IPOH: The Human Resources Ministry is puzzled over the poor response from retrenched workers to its “Train and Place” programme.

Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said since the programme was introduced two months ago, fewer than 1,000 people have taken up the offer.

“More than 11,000 jobs in various fields are available in the programme, but not many are looking to fill the vacancies,” he told reporters after opening a Train and Place programme organised by the state Manpower Depart-ment here yesterday.

The retrenched should not be too choosy about jobs in these harsh economic times, Dr Subramaniam said.

“A guaranteed job also awaits you upon completion of the training period,” he added.

To date, 18,000 retrenched workers have registered with the ministry.

To make the programme more enticing, Dr Subramaniam said, the ministry would pay allowances of between RM500 and RM800 to those who sign up.

The ministry holds Train and Place programmes twice every month at the respective state Manpower Departments. Its officers will also contact workers to find out their needs.

Job seekers can sign up for the programme online at www.jobsmalaysia.gov.my.

To a question, Dr Subramaniam said the Government had allocated a total of RM600mil under the first and second stimulus packages for the programme.

“The ministry estimates it will need to spend between RM10,000 and RM12,000 to train each person,” he added.

Asked whether the Train and Place programme would be scrapped if the take-up rate remained low, Dr Subramanian said the ministry would open the programme to graduates to increase their employability.