malaysiangKUALA LUMPUR, Student enrolment in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes at institutions under the Higher Education Ministry has been consistent and has reached its highest level in the past three years.
Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal said the enrolment of diploma students in TVET programmes has shown an increase compared to other ministries or agencies, with 52.7 per cent or 85,535 students in 2022 from 45.3 per cent or 58,424 students in the previous year.
“Regarding Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), the ministry is working with the Education Ministry to prepare a Cabinet memorandum related to STEM direction to enhance student’s interest in the field,” he said during the question and answer session in Dewan Rakyat today.
He said this in response to a supplementary question from Datuk Shamsulkahar Mohd Deli (BN-Jempol) regarding the government’s efforts to attract Generation Z’s interest in TVET and STEM.
1,109 COMPANIES IMPLEMENT WORK-LIFE PRACTICES
KUALA LUMPUR — A total of 1,109 companies have implemented Work-Life Practices, an initiative aimed at providing a better balance between work and personal life, including a family-friendly workplace environment, as of September this year.
Human Resource Minister V. Sivakumar said the initiative is in line with the Flexible Working Arrangements under Sections 60P and 60Q of the Employment Act 1955 (Amendment 2022), among others, to retain educated young talents in the industry, including women who have family commitments.
“Through this initiative, private sector employees can apply for flexible work arrangments in terms of working hours, days and locations,” he said in reply to a question from Shaharizukirnain Abd Kadir (PN-Setiu) regarding government incentives to ensure women return to the workforce, thus bridging the gender gap in the labour market.
Meanwhile, Sivakumar said that from January to Oct 26, some 39 special programmes for women were implemented, involving 1,325 participants, with 222 of them successfully securing employment while 526 others qualifying for the second interview.
EIGHT FATAL ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY ROAD REPAIR WORKS AS OF SEPT 30
KUALA LUMPUR — A total of eight fatal accidents caused by road repair works were reported from January 2019 until Sept 30 this year, said Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad.
He said the Road Accident Management System statistics showed that six cases occurred on federal roads while two were on expressways.
“If accidents occur, the claim process can be initiated by the parties involved,” he said during the question and answer session in Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to a question from Datuk Dr Alias Razak (PN-Kuala Nerus) about the statistics of fatal accidents caused by road repair works throughout the country and monitoring by the contractors on the standard operating procedures.
VARIOUS INITIATIVES TO HELP TACKLE MANIPULATION, ROLE OF MIDDLEMEN
KUALA LUMPUR — Various programmes and initiatives implemented by agriculture-related agencies under the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry could help reduce the issues related to manipulation and middlemen, which lead to an increase in agricultural product prices.
Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the programmes, including direct sales to consumers, organised by the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA), the Farmers’ Organisation Authority and Fishermen’s Markets under the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority, could help reduce dependence on middlemen.
“In addition, the Marketing Contract Partner Programme, a strategic collaboration between FAMA entrepreneurs and Contract Farm participants, aims to shorten the distribution chain from the farm to the final consumer,” he said during the question and answer session in Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias (BN-Jelebu) regarding the ministry’s concrete efforts to combat and eliminate the culture of middlemen in the agricultural sector and food supply chain to control the rising cost of living.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency
