The article in question that appeared on the 27.Dec.2014.
Kolej Yayasan Sabah has taken note of the issue and has discussed with Jabatan Pembangunan Kemahiran (JPK) on clarifying the status of the Diploma Kemahiran Malaysia (DKM). Jabatan Pembangun Kemahiran is the owner of the program and the awarding body for the Diploma which is based on the National Occupatinal Skills Standards (NOSS). Kolej Yayasan Sabah is an accredited centre to run the program.
As background information, Kolej Yayasan Sabah is registered under the Ministry Of Education (Jabatan Pengajian Tinggi) as an Institute of Higher Learning (No Perakuan Pendaftaran: S4P0006); and Jabatan Pembangunan Kemahiran (JPK) as an Accredited Centre (No: K14008).
To be accepted as an accredited centre for Jabatan Pembangunan Kemahiran, an institution must have the training facilities, infrastructure and certified trainers in place. JPK’s main objectives are to coordinate and regulate the implementation of training skills and produce K-Workers of national and international standards for the job market and to research and develop job competency standards and expertise so as to improve the quality of skilled human resources who can contribute to the economic growth of the country by assessing through competency under the Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia (SKM) Level 1 – 3 and Diploma Kemahiran Malaysia (DKM/SKM4) Level 4.
Basically, the program is to produce skilled workers to meet the demand from national industries through the accreditation programme of skills training at accredited centres. The original purpose of the program is to prepare skilled workers for industries and private business.
This program was meant as an alternative option for youths and workers who are not academically inclined but excel in skills by obtaining certification by way of practical assessment through JPK.
For the record, there are three sectors in the Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF); the Skills (Kemahiran) sector, Vocational & Technical sector, and Higher Education sector.
The Vocational & Technical and Higher Education sector are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Higher Education, while the skills sector is under the jurisdiction of the Jabatan Pembangunan Kemahiran (JPK) under the Ministry of Human Resource. Training and Certification program under the Skills (Kemahiran) sector are not under the purview of MQA.
However, currently MQA and JPK are working together to get programs accredited by JPK to be also included in the Malaysian Qualification Register (MQR). The MQR is the reference point for accredited programmes which conforms to the Malaysian Qualifications Framework.
SKM or DKM holders do not have problems in obtaining employment and getting equivalent remuneration in the private sector and industry. For the public service sector (government), public service schemes that requires SKM or DKM qualification for the purpose of employment is limited.
However, efforts have been made to open up more opportunities SKM and DKM holders entry into the civil service, including : ·
Identifying 55 schemes of service in the public service appropriate to the qualifications of SKM and DKM and has been forwarded to JPA (Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam) for approval. At current moment, there are 17 scheme services which has accepted SKM Level 2 and Level 3 as entry requirement for employment in the Civil Service. ·
JPA is in the process of conducting a study and consideration of the whole application including the DKM certificate, which is a tedious process which takes into account the views of the head of service schemes concerned, budget and entry scale of posts. ·
This is in line with the goverment’s effort which is mentioned in the 2010 Budget Speech by the Prime Minister and Finance Minister on the 23rd of October 2010, which stated:
“Kelima: Mengiktiraf Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia (SKM) tahap 4 dan ke atas supaya setaraf dengan aliran akademik. Dengan pengiktirafan ini, pemegang SKM tahap 4 layak memohon untuk berkhidmat di sektor awam, manakala bagi mereka yang berkhidmat di sektor swasta dapat menikmati gaji setaraf dengan pemegang sijil diploma.”
Previous students from this program are currently employed in the private sector and some are known to work in government agencies. The college itself has a sizable number of employees with SKM & DKM qualification employed with the college as assistant officers, supervisors and skills training officers.
On the issue of academic recognition, JPK, Jabatan Pengajian Tinggi and the public universities are in the process of detailing the conditions of admission to universities with qualifications in Diploma Kemahiran Malaysia.
Agreement has been made that admission to the Bachelor’s Degree in the Public Universities is open to holders of DKM. However, special requirements and credit transfer program is dependent on the Program, Faculty and University Senate.
An articulation guideline for entry into the public university is available on JPK’s website. Currently, seven (7) public universities are able to take the DKM qualification as entry to the degree programs subject to additional entry requirements and taking bridging classes.
Based on sources from the University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF), there are already students with the DKM qualification enrolled in their Bachelors in Business Administration (Hons) programHons) .
Under the academic program, the college is offering Diploma programs which have been given approval and accredited by the Ministry of Education. As a higher learning institution, MOE closely supervises the college ensuring that all programs are accredited and abides by the set guidelines.
We abide the ruling set by the Ministries concerned in running our programs whether it is Skills or Academic program. Under no circumstances does the college offer programs which have not been given approval or accredited by the relevant agencies
This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of sabahkini.com
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