200,000 jobless youths to get free skills training

By Mohamed Farid Noh - June 28, 2020 @ 9:02am

PAGOH: Some 200,000 youths who are jobless or retrenched will be retrained under the Skills and Upskilling Programme for free.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said RM2 billion had been allocated under the Economic Recovery Plan (Penjana) to ensure the programme's success.

"I have parents complaining that their children have been jobless for two years, even before the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, until now when the pandemic has affected the economy.

"Among the measures agreed upon by the government is the Skills and Upskilling Programme for youths who are jobless or retrenched.

"During this period, when jobs have yet to materialise due to the slow economy, it is wise that we upskill our youths. The programme will benefit up to 200,000 youths, who will receive training allowance, as well as meals."

He said this at a meeting with Pagoh constituency community leaders at Dewan Institut Kemahiran Tinggi Belia Negara Pagoh here yesterday.

Muhyiddin, who is Pagoh member of parliament and Gambir assemblyman, said there was a RM30 billion allocation from the Human Resources Development Fund that had yet to be used.

"It is time that the funds collected from companies and employers were used to retrain youths to safeguard their future.

"This will enable our youth to embark on their own ventures, especially entrepreneurship, instead of relying on job offers."