THE 16 young Malaysians, sponsored and funded by the Hong Leong Foundation, the charitable arm of the Hong Leong Group, have graduated from the Malaysian Meister Programme – Level 1 Skills Diploma in Mechatronics studies at the Penang Skills Development Centre.

The sponsorship and funding were undertaken under the Foundation’s skills development programme to provide financial aid and enrichment support to young Malaysians to equip them with vocational qualifications and skills-based studies so that they can be employable.

Foundation executive director Quek Sue Yian said: “We recognise the need to help our young people who may not have the opportunities to acquire the right knowledge and skills set for work.”

“Through this programme, we hope to give these young talents a stepping stone towards being competitively employable with the relevant skills,” she said.

The 16 graduates, aged 18 and above were given the opportunity by the Foundation to pursue the Malaysian Meister Programme in Mechatronics studies for 28 months.

The programme is recognised by the Malaysian Department of Skills Development and accredited by the Malaysia-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The scholarship offered by the Foundation includes course fees, room and boarding, and access to on-the-job training placements.

The 16 students gained work experience at participating Hong Leong Manufacturing Group of Companies, which include Southern Steel Berhad, Dynacraft Industries Sdn Bhd and Carsem (M) Sdn Bhd. “I am pleased to note that all 16 students graduated from the programme. Nine of them are employed within the Hong Leong Group while six have gone on to pursue Advanced Diploma studies in Mechatronics.

“We are delighted to see how a little bit of support can go a long way towards equipping them for a better start in their working lives,” said Quek.

Source: The Star

Photo Credit: The Star