UNITAR Onboards Apprentices For ILTIZAM Apprenticeship Training Programme

Petaling Jaya – Funded by Ekuinas, UNITAR introduces the ILTIZAM Apprenticeship Training Programme with the objective of easing the entry of Iltizam Graduates into the labour market.

On 25^th February 2022, 30 Apprentices were onboarded into the programme with main agenda items covering an introduction to UNITAR, Ice-breaking activities, navigating the Online learning platform, checking-in to accommodations, and an insight into the Career Placement Centre.

The training is 8 weeks long, on a full-time schedule from Monday-Friday. As part of the training, the apprentices will attend certified upskilling and reskilling programmes along with soft skills management labs to increase employability. The training also includes a Professional English Programme to enhance their language skills for the workforce. This fully sponsored programme covers course fees, hostel accommodations, travel logistics and a monthly living allowance for the duration of the programme.

With the PERKESO Placement Centre located at UNITAR’s Main Campus, the graduates will also receive direct access to the MYFutureJobs Portal. To further enhance their careers, all apprentices will attend networking and mentoring sessions for 3 months post-employment.

An added benefit to the training programme includes the option to continue their lifelong learning journey at UNITAR via a transfer credits to the Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master of Information Technology (MIT) programmes.

“As an organisation, we have worked hard to expand our capabilities; UNITAR is a holistic learning institution capable of providing customised solutions. The ILTIZAM training programme is an example of the commitment shown by Ekuinas to upskill graduates for the workforce. We will continue these efforts to maintain UNITAR’s upward trajectory growth,” said Puvan Balachandran, Chief Executive Officer of UNITAR Capital Sdn. Bhd.

“Graduate employability is one of UNITAR’s pillars. We fully understand the need to further prepare graduates for an easement into the ever-demanding workforce. This training programme will not only meet the short-term objectives of gaining employment, but also provide a pathway for students to continue their learning journey in the future,” said Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Ir. Dr. Sahol Hamid Bin Abu Bakar, Vice-Chancellor of UNITAR International University.

“For the past 10 years, Ekuinas has successfully run the ILTIZAM Professional Development Programme (PDP), a 12-month programme to employ and transform unemployed Bumiputera graduates into marketable and employable human capital.  We receive thousands of applications for PDP each year and we can only take 75.  We are piloting this focused and compact 8-week Apprentice programme with UNITAR this year, to reach and do more for unemployed graduates. Through engagement with industry and our experience, we found that the current skills gap and demand is in project management and business analytics. Hence our intervention through this customised upskilling and reskilling programme which includes placement assistance and post placement mentoring. The end in mind for the programme is successful job placements,” said Hizwani Hassan, Director, Stakeholder Interests at Ekuinas.

To find out more, please visit www.unitar.my