Proud achievement: Mohamed Khaled (centre) posing for a group photo with recipients of the Malaysia Skills Diploma and Perhebat certificates after a ceremony at the Sungai Buloh army camp here yesterday. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
SUNGAI BULOH: More than half of the army veterans who completed transitional training programmes under the Ex-Serviceman Affairs Corporation (Perhebat) last year have secured careers following retirement, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
The Defence Minister said 60% of the 6,851 ex-servicemen enrolled under the programme last year had successfully landed a second career, with 17% working with an employer, 23% working on their own, and 20% being entrepreneurs.
Some 40% of veterans from the batch, however, are still looking for a job.
“We need to pay serious attention to understand why 40% are still looking for jobs. This means there is still room for improvement,” Mohamed Khaled said in his speech when launching an awards ceremony held at the Sungai Buloh army camp here yesterday.
The ceremony saw 209 recipients, comprising both active and retired servicemen, receiving Malaysian Skills Diploma certificates.
The diplomas are awarded through the Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) programme.
A total of 338 retiring servicemen meanwhile received Perhebat certificates for completing their transitional training programme.
Mohamed Khaled said that Perhebat was an institution formed to equip retiring servicemen with academic credentials to pursue new careers after serving the army.
“I have also asked Perhebat to improve their efforts and strengthen existing programmes while also carrying out training that meet current industry needs,” he said.
Mohamed Khaled said the Defence Ministry and Armed Forces have the responsibility of developing an ecosystem to ensure that retiring servicemen have the relevant work training and exposure.
“This allows retiring servicemen to return to society with the right mindset and the needed skills.
“It will help them to secure successful careers after their service,” he said.
Col Datuk Zulkiffli Jaafar, who was a recipient of the Malaysia Skills Diploma yesterday, said he was planning to open an academy to train bodyguards.
Zulkiffli was part of the Malaysian Army’s elite commando unit, known as the Gerup Gerak Khas (GGK), or Special Service Group.
“I plan to open my own academy to train bodyguards who are competent with their duties and abide by the rules and law,” he said when met after the ceremony.
“I also want to thank my family and wife who supported me throughout this journey,” said the 54-year-old whose diploma was in close quarters supervision.
Mej (Honorary) (Rtd) Muhammad Abu Bakar, 61, said he took the Malaysian Skills Diploma to improve his business, which has been established for some 20 years.
The 61-year-old, who is the chief executive officer of a company providing engineering and commercial services for the marine oil and gas sector, said he would also prioritise hiring veterans for his company.
“We welcome retiring servicemen to join the industry. The industry is also continuously expanding,” said Muhammad, who earned a diploma in administration management.
Corporal A. Kumaresan, 40, received a transitional training programme certificate in agriculture.
He said he planned to expand his family’s poultry business after completing his service.
“I have been doing this even before joining the army and I intend to expand it further,” he said.
At the event, eight memoranda of understanding were exchanged between Perhebat and private companies, banking institutions and local higher education institutions.
