HRDF recognises graduates from its lifelong learning RPEL programme

Malaysia's Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) celebrated graduates from its Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) convocation on 15 March at the Putra World Trade Centre.

A total of 1,000 graduates received their RPEL certificate from the total 7,328 trainees approved under the RPEL Scheme nationwide. The graduates come from the Federation of JPK Accredited Centres Malaysia (FeMAC) and the Armed Forces Ex-Servicemen Affairs Corporation (PERHEBAT).

Witnessing the occasion were Minister of Human Resources Dato’ Sri (Dr) Richard Riot Jaem, Ministry of Human Resources (MoHR) secretary general Dato’ Dr. Mohd Gazali Abas, and MoHR deputy secretary general (operation) Dato’ Mohamed Elias Bin Abu Bakar.

Also in attendance were MoHR deputy secretary general (policy and international) Amir Bin Omar, HRDF chief executive Dato’ CM Vignaesvaran Jeyandran, FeMAC president P. Sailanathan, and PERHEBAT chairman lieutenant general Dato’ Seri Abdul Aziz Ibrahim.

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The RPEL initiative — which formally certifies technical and management skills, knowledge and experience gained from work, life or previous study — is seen as a stepping stone towards better mobility and job marketability among local workers.

Providing recipients with a diploma under the Malaysia Skills Certification, the programme is helping to increase the number of skilled workers from the Bottom 40% (B40) income group and improve the economy by reducing the unemployment rate which currently stands at 3.3%.

Dato’ Riot commented: "I cannot stress enough how important it is to invest in both education and the re-skilling, up-skilling and multi-skilling of the local talent as these are factors that are crucial to improving social mobility and the well-being of the rakyat as a whole."

Dato' Vignaesvaran added: "Schemes, such as RPEL, promote lifelong learning and are instrumental in achieving the aspiration of reaching a 35% skilled workforce, as (they) recognise the experience and skills of workers who have no paper qualifications, reduce their financial burden by improving employability, contribute to a better opportunity for high income, and increase the percentage of a high skilled workforce."

Participants from various occupational backgrounds, including ex-servicemen, will receive their RPEL certification this month in three convocation ceremonies held in Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur.

Photos / Provided