THE Human Resources Ministry will work with Orang Asli schools to introduce the pupils to technical and vocational education and training (TVET)s, said its minister M. Saravanan.

Saravanan told The Malaysian Insight such exposure would allow indigenous youth to move forward.

“When we talk about the Orang Asli, the changes are long overdue, looking at what is happening  within their environment,” he said.

“They must move forward. They can’t rely on their traditional kampung Orang Asli (skills) anymore,” he said.

He said that the ministry was targeting 2,000 Orang Asli participants nationwide in phase one of the TVET programme.

The ministry will collaborate with the Orang Asli Affairs Department in the project.

“This is to increase the intake of Orang Asli youth throughout Malaysia, enrol them in 32 industrial training institutes (ILPs) under the Manpower Department.”

The minister said the TVET programme was launched in January with the appointment of 10 Orang Asli coordinators. 

“The coordinators are to promote the courses offered at the ILPs and encourage Orang Asli youth to enrol.

“The programme was initiated in Cameron Highlands and 46 Orang Asli youths have since been accepted in January and February.”

The movement control order in March, however, caused the programme to be suspended.

He said the ministry will next introduce short, or modular courses for the Orang Asli. 

“We have drafted basic courses and will implement them at the Orang Asli villages.

“The courses are basic sewing, basic crafts and other skills which are synonymous with the community.”

He said it was important that the private sector and civil society groups took part in the effort to improve the lot of the Orang Asli.

Their participation would give the youth the opportunity to train in real working environments as well as learn entrepreneurship, he said. – August 29, 2020.