CHUKAI, Nov 30 — The Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) has urged its 211,040 women smallholders to join the Job Empowerment By Learning And Inclusive Advancement (Jelita@Risda) initiative to upgrade their skills, entrepreneurship and career management.
Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang said as of Nov 24, a total of 1,993 women participated in the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programme, which was launched in August.
“This programme adopts a holistic approach and is set to be a catalyst for the socioeconomic transformation of smallholders in the rubber industry.
“[email protected] to provide exposure to participants through courses that focus on skill enhancement, entrepreneurship and career management,” she said at a media conference after launching the first series of the programme’s tour at a shopping mall, here, today.
Rubiah said the ministry would work on getting more funds to ensure that the programme could hit the target of 150,000 participants within three years, noting that currently, Jelita@Risda is implemented using Risda’s allocation.
She said the programme offers 10 free courses, including Halal Certification, Tourism, Hospitality and Culinary as well as Agro Technology.
Meanwhile, according to Risda chairman Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad, after participants complete the relevant courses, Risda will continue to monitor their progress in their efforts to generate income for six months.
“Besides that, we will match them with relevant agencies to help them expand their business,” she said, adding that Risda will provide the participants with the necessary items to start immediately after completing the courses.
— Bernama
