MATTA Launches SLDN Programme

KUALA LUMPUR, 1 September 2016: Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) President Datuk Hj Hamzah Rahmat is honoured to have YB Dato’ Sri Hj Ismail Bin Hj Abd Muttalib, Deputy Minister of Human Resources, to officiate the launching of Sistem Latihan Dual Nasional (SLDN) programme for the travel industry at PWTC this morning.

Hamzah said “We are grateful to the Human Resource Ministry, particularly the dedicated officials from Jabatan Pembangunan Kemahiran (JPK), whom we have been working with. They have given us every possible assistance and guidance to make sure the programme is implemented well.”

“The SLDN, or National Dual Training System, is exactly what our travel sector needs, as the industry is experiencing a shortage of skilled and talented workers to join as front liners.”

“Each year, our colleges and universities churn out thousands of tourism graduates with academic knowledge but without the practical industry skills needed to perform well in the work place.”

“SLDN apprentices spend only 20 to 30 percent of their time in a training centre, and 70 to 80 percent attached to a travel or tour company for work-based learning under the supervision of specially trained coaches.”

“At the end of an 18-month programme, successful apprentices will be certified competent in inbound and outbound tour operations, reservations and ticket handling, tour transportation handling, sales and marketing, and tour leading.”

“They can then choose to work in smaller companies as an all-rounder or in bigger companies specializing in only one segment. Unlike most tourism graduates our apprentices will know exactly what they have to do and have the necessary skillsets to carry out their duties efficiently and effectively.”

‘MATTA is opening this SLDN programme to students who will be sitting for their SPM, STPM or UEC examinations this year, as training will only commence from January 2017.”

“Those who are still new in their working careers may join in, including tourism graduates who wish to carve out a successful career in the travel industry. The programme will be expanded nationwide as more MATTA members come on board as coaches. This program will be facilitated by our 13 state chapters throughout the country.”

“MATTA members have responded enthusiastically to this SLDN programme as they can see that trained staff will be able to contribute much to the growth and profitability of their companies, which have been severely limited by low productivity and the lack of skilled workers.”
“Signing up with this program will also help jumpstart an apprentice’s career as MATTA has already received many requests for our apprentices upon their graduation.”

“It is imperative that we raise our industry’s efficiency and competitiveness, especially when our neighbours are catching up, especially so with the ASEAN Economic Community opening up the market”, concluded Hamzah, who is also the President of the Federation of ASEAN Travel Associations (FATA) and Secretary-General of ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA).