Yayasan Sime Darby helps Youth Leaving JKM Institutions Build Careers Through TVET

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- A total of 159 youths leaving Department of Social Welfare (JKM) institutions nationwide have been selected as the first cohort of recipients of Yayasan Sime Darby  (YSD) Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Scholarship, with the support of the Ministry of Finance.

Under the train-and-place approach, all scholarship recipients will undergo skills training lasting between one and six months at selected TVET institutions before receiving assistance in securing jobs suited to their skills.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the programme offered a practical pathway tailored to industry needs to boost youth employability and ensure competitive incomes.

“The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) believes that technical skills training must go hand in hand with character development, emotional support and soft skills, ultimately producing competitive human capital that is resilient in the face of challenges and free from long-term dependency.

“Make use of this opportunity to move forward, and, if possible, pursue higher levels of education to improve your lives and bring happiness to your families. Work hard to help yourselves,” she said at the 2026 YSD TVET Scholarship Presentation Ceremony at the Asia School of Business here today.

Also present were KPWKM Deputy Secretary-General (Management) Datuk Roziah Shaari, YSD chief executive officer Dr Yatela Zainal Abidin, National Welfare Foundation (YKN) chief executive officer Nordina Harun and YSD chief operating officer Musdalifah Nasir.

Meanwhile, Yatela said the scholarship fully covered training fees, accommodation, meal allowances and learning equipment.

She said the training fields offered included automotive, heavy machinery, electrical and electronics, hospitality, beauty and wellness, construction, welding, culinary arts, retail, logistics, and sewing and fashion.

“YSD’s objective is clear, which is to help youths leaving JKM institutions gain access to TVET education, secure employment and ultimately build independent lives. True success is not merely participation in this programme, but when recipients are able to complete their training, enter the workforce and build a brighter future,” she said.

Yatela said recipients would also receive guidance for 12 months through the YSD THRIVE programme, which provides mentoring support, psychosocial assistance and career development monitoring.

In the first phase of the programme, 434 youths underwent screening nationwide through 11 YSD TVET Scholarship Open Day sessions, before 159 recipients were selected for the first cohort, which is scheduled to begin training this December.

Since its establishment in 1982, YSD has awarded scholarships worth more than RM402 million to nearly 7,000 recipients, including more than 2,300 individuals under its TVET programme, which was introduced in 2007.

-- BERNAMA