80 per cent of NS trainees accept offer to pursue studies in technical skills

About 80 per cent of the 6,389 National Service (NS) Training Programme 2.0 Group 1 Series 14/2017 who graduated on Sunday, agreed to accept the offer to pursue their studies in technical skills at several Public Skills Training Institutes (ILKA) and Private Skills Training Institutes ( ILKS) nationwide.

Defence Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Johari Baharum said trainees might be offered further education through the second phase of the NS programme, where they would have the opportunity to undergo training in the industry.

"They will henceforth, be offered the second stage where they are given the opportunity to continue their education or skills in their chosen fields, either in agencies under the ministry or the private sector.

"NS trainees can further their technical training at Public Skills Training Institutes such as in the National Youth Training Institute, Giat Mara, Community College and at Private Skills Training Institutes such as College UNIKOP, Crew Academy and many others," he told reporters at the closing of the NS Group 1 Series 14 / 2017 Princess Haliza NS Camp, Sepang here Sunday.

Also present was National Service Department director-general Datuk Mohmed Asri Yusof.

Mohd Johari said this year, a quota of 3,000 was offered by ILKA and ILKS to NS Phase 2 trainees.

The skills training module was among the eight NS 2.0 modules introduced under the NS transformation earlier this year, in addition to other modules such as Fit4Life, MalaysiaKu, Tech & Talk and iUpgrade.

At the event, 354 NS trainees attended the passing-out parade, namely 153 trainees from the Princess Haliza NS Camp, Sepang and 201 trainees from the Pelangi Hill NS Camp, Kerling who have been training for eight weeks, beginning March 18 until Sunday. - BERNAMA