GOVERNMENT REBATE AND LOAN FOR INDIVIDUALS UPSKILLING & RESKILLING

Till last year unemployed and working adults getting full loan from PTPK and rebates from MDeC and TalentCorp to pursue professional certification courses. However, these facilities no longer available in 2017. The loan and rebates contributed significantly toward individuals upskilling and reskilling which are crucial for achieving national agenda to attain 35% skilled workforce by 2020 (at present 28%) and to be high income nation. No doubt government funding is available now for unemployed graduates, retrenched workers etc. However, this is very much targeting corporates, either to train new hiring or existing workforce but doesn’t really available for individuals who want to up-skill or re-skill themselves and move upward in their career. I strongly believe the rebates and loan should be made available again to the individuals. Another option is to enable EPF withdrawal to pursue professional certification. Currently EPF approval only allowed for MQA approved courses. We must reckon that professional certificate is highly specialized and vital in preparing workforce to meet industry needs. Rebates, loans and EPF withdrawal certainly will encourage upskilling and reskilling among individuals.