KUALA LUMPUR: Yayasan Peneraju Pendidikan Bumiputera has partnered with Komune Care to prepare students with the necessary skills and competences in handling and managing the elderlies.
The collaboration was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) exchange ceremony and scholars' orientation to offer professional certificate in elderly care.
Yayasan Peneraju will fund 50 Bumiputera talents, aged between 30 to 45 years, to undergo a seven-month professional certificate course in the elderly care operations programme and will be offered with job placements upon completion.
The course, facilitated by UOA Academy, covers the physical, psychological, nutritional and mental aspects of human health, as well as the tools needed to deal with illnesses and challenging behaviours among the elderlies.
Yayasan Peneraju chief executive officer Ibrahim Sani said the joint effort with Komune Care would be part of the eco-system of partners who have joined hands to build talents for the nation with the foundation in various capacities.
"Yayasan Peneraju constantly designs and offers bespoke funding programmes with the emphasis to equip talents with skill sets that are in high demand and future proof, hence helping our beneficiaries or scholars kickstart or advance in their careers.
"As an organisation under the Ministry of Economy, Yayasan Peneraju has the responsibility to increase the quality, quantity and relevance of Bumiputera talents in line with efforts to develop Malaysia towards a high-income country," he said in a statement.
Apart from being an in-demand that represents an important sector, Ibrahim noted that this job requires special skill sets where challenges and competencies come hand in hand.
The effort is seen as in line with the national agenda to improve socio-economics and the course participants today are an ideal affected group for the initiative to Develop National Talent Skills Through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
Komune Care general manager Fong Muntoh said the collaboration reflects a crucial synergy in addressing the pressing demand for trained caregivers in the country and with the ageing population on the rise, the need for professional caregivers has become more evident than ever.
The initiative aligns with the vision of the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, emphasising on the importance of pooling resources and expertise to bridge the significant gap in the caregiving workforce.
"By joining forces, these institutions can create comprehensive training programmes that not only enhance the skills of caregivers but also ensure the well-being and quality of life for the elderly population.
"This collaborative effort signifies a shared commitment to building a stronger foundation for senior care and lays the groundwork for a more sustainable and compassionate future," he added.
So far, over 63,000 individuals from all over Malaysia, including those from B40, M40, disabled, rural and marginalise groups have been upskilled and reskilled through more than 570 structured academic, TVET, professional certification, technology and specialist funding programmes over 11 years.