PORT KLANG: The government has launched the National Port and Haulier Industry Training and Professionalism Programme aimed at enhancing the efficiency and professionalism of the country's port and logistics sector.
.
The programme, known as the Professional Advancement in Trucking and Haulage (PATH), is set to train 1,000 people, including current workers in the sector, as well as unemployed citizens, to become competent commercial truck drivers.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said PATH would help to train drivers to secure employment following driver shortages in the logistics sector.
"Haulier drivers require a specific licence. What we're doing here is training drivers currently working within the port.
"While they don't need a Class E licence to drive prime movers within the port, they require one to drive outside of it. These drivers have experience in the port area but haven't obtained the necessary licence because it costs around RM3,000 to RM4,000.
"Through this programme, with partial funding from the Port Klang Authority (PKA), we aim to train up to 1,000 drivers to obtain their Class E licences," Loke said at a press conference.
He said that once these drivers obtained their licences, they would have the choice to continue working within the port sector or seek employment in the broader logistics sector.
Meanwhile, Human Resource Minister Steven Sim said the programme aimed not only to meet the needs of the rapidly growing national economy, which is seeing an influx of high-skilled and high-tech investments, but also to create jobs with better compensation.
"When there is an increase in competency and skills, along with certifications recognised not only by the government but also by the industry, we typically see an increase in both productivity and wages.
"This strategy is part of our approach to improving wages, both domestically and abroad.
"One aspect involves a minimum wage and progressive salary scales, and another involves enhanced skills training.
"This is one example of our collaboration with the Transport Ministry, and we plan to use this model in partnership with other ministries and agencies, guided by industry needs, to produce more skilled workers with the best working conditions," he said.
The pilot project, with a budget of RM2.5 million under the HRD Corp Strategic Initiative Fund, will be conducted at several locations across the country, including Port Klang in Selangor, as well as Penang, Johor, Kuantan, and Bintulu in Sarawak.
Its first phase began in November last year at Port Klang's Northport and Westports, involving 200 terminal tractor drivers.
It was funded by the PKA at a cost of RM530,000, with participants completing their training and obtaining their Class E and Vocational Class E licences last month.
In the second phase, the programme aims to assist 1,000 participants in obtaining their Class E and Vocational GDL Joint licences and will be expanded to other ports.
PKA will provide training allowances to participants, with funding support from the Implementation Coordination Unit, Prime Minister's Department (ICU, JPM), HRD Corp, Northport (Malaysia) Bhd, Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd, and haulage companies.