IN line with the Government’s aim to produce more technical talent by year 2020, the Manpower Department (JTM) recently launched Malaysia’s first Samsung TECH Academy to provide specialised technical training courses.

Institut Latihan Perindustrian (ILP) Kuala Lumpur was earmarked to house the pilot Samsung TECH Academy.

Officiating the launch was Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot Anak Jaem.

Also present were Human Resources secretary general Datuk Saripuddin Kasim, Samsung Malaysia Electronics (SME) Sdn Bhd president Lee Dong Yong, JTM director general Chin Phaik Yoong, SME (corporate affairs) director Roh Jae Yeol, and SME (customer satisfaction) business manager Neo Kim.

The Samsung TECH Academy course comprises a month-long training schedule that will be conducted as part of the overall Certificate in Electronics Industry programme at ILP.

It will provide students with 100 hours of specialised vocational training. This training will comprise both technical theory, as well as hands-on exposure on two Samsung product categories, namely smart TVs and smartphones.

Modelled after the train–the-trainer concept, Samsung technical experts will train the trainers of ILP.

ILP trainers will, in turn, guide the future technicians in their professional growth and ready them for the industry.

The academy is poised to provide specialised training that produces skilled, knowledgeable and competitive world-class workforce.

Upon completion of their overall vocational education at Samsung TECH Academy, students will graduate with an SKM 3 Certification, a qualification that will garner increased skilled job opportunities within the electrical appliances industry as a whole.

As outlined in the Manpower Strategic Plan 2016-2020, the Government has set a target of producing 33% skilled labour by 2015 and 50% by 2020.

The launch of Samsung TECH Academy and its training courses at ILP is a timely platform to boost the country’s advancement towards creating more technical talent with the aim of achieving developed status.

“The Samsung TECH Academy aims to train students in specialised skills using Samsung technology to become experts in technical and customer service,” said Lee.

“We are pleased to be able to collaborate with JTM and ILP in seeking to meet this goal.

“The Samsung TECH Academy in Malaysia is part of a global initiative to increase the number and quality of tech-nicians, address the deficiency of technical talents and, ultimately, meet market employment needs,” he added.

As of June this year, 67 courses have been implemented across 34 Samsung TECH Academies in countries across the globe.

Since its initiation in 2011, the initiative has benefited approximately 2,000 youths. In Malaysia, the first batch of 30 students commenced their course in September.