PLKN 2.0 is second chance for those not making it to university

The National Service Training Programme 2.0 (PLKN 2.0) which starts in January, next year will see trainees who cannot further their studies at universities, to pick up useful skills for work.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the ministry was currently transforming PLKN assisted by the Performance Management & Delivery Unit and the Youth and Sport Ministry.

"The emphasis is to give a second chance to PLKN trainees in terms of skills," he told reporters after attending a Together with the National Leader programme in conjunction with New Student Orientation Week at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn, here, today.

He said the ministry had made a transformation to the training dimension in recent months by getting companies to provide jobs, which represents a novel approach to PLKN 2.0.

The eight weeks of training would be followed with training at skills institutes which would probably take a minimum of three months to a maximum of 24 months, he added.

"This is a full transformation. We will use the National Blue Ocean Strategy for skills centres and will involve the other ministries depending on the courses picked by the trainees," he said.

Hishammudin said voluntary recruitment would be conducted in stages with full implementation in 2019.

"I hope many will step forward to help because this group of trainees will be among the marginalised who are without jobs, skills and future if we don't give them a chance," he said.

In addition, it was also hoped that feedbacks from the stakeholders, former PLKN trainees and instructors would be able to assist the transformation.

"PLKN is a way to ensure our children are looked after and this is what we are carrying out," he added.