Plantation firms train SPM school-leavers under govt's foreign labour cut drive
Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said the ministry had developed initiatives to strengthen TVET-based training through the Malaysian Plantation and Commodities Institute (Impac).
This includes the Farm Mechanisation Operations Course (KOML), "Harvesting Specialist" and "Machine Specialist" programmes, which have received encouraging interest from leading plantation companies.
He said the programmes, implemented using a "place and train" approach, aim to develop a highly skilled workforce in modern plantation operations, with a focus on productivity, safety and cost efficiency.
Among the companies forming strategic partnerships with Impac are SD Guthrie, FGV Plantation Bhd and Sarawak Plantation Bhd.
"Since 2024, more than 160 trainees have successfully undergone training and been placed at plantations owned by these companies, demonstrating the effectiveness of this initiative in meeting industry needs.
"Encouraged by the success of the initial rollout, several other major plantation firms, including Genting Plantations Bhd, Johor Plantation Group and Boustead Plantations Bhd, have shown early commitment to implement similar programmes.
"These programmes not only offer career assurance for trainees but also help companies build a skilled workforce tailored to actual on-the-ground needs," he said in a written reply to the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
He was responding to a question from Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (BN–Tampin) on the industry's reception of the new requirement to train SPM school-leavers through TVET, in an effort to reduce the country's dependence on foreign labour.
Previously, the Plantation and Commodities Ministry had made it a precondition for industry players to hire TVET graduates in relevant fields before being allowed to employ foreign workers.
Johari said that to ensure training content matches operational realities, companies have also formed active collaborations with institutions such as the Malaysian Palm Oil Training Centre (Plasma), Kolej Yayasan Pahang and other TVET providers.
This collaborative effort aims to ensure that training modules genuinely meet the needs of modern plantations, which are increasingly grounded in technology and sustainable agricultural practices.
"In addition, the ministry has held engagement sessions with the Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA) and the Malaysian Estate Owners' Association (MEOA) to comprehensively examine critical issues such as job scopes and career progression prospects.
"These findings will serve as valuable input in formulating strategies to improve workforce planning, especially in efforts to attract and retain local workers on a long-term basis."
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