BANGI, Sept 20 — Parents are encouraged to enrol their children with special needs, particularly autistic youth, in skills training courses offered by the Youth and Sports Skills Training Institute (ILKBS).
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said this will ensure that these youths are given training and skills opportunities that can help them become independent and contribute to society.
“I see that we have many young people trained every year, and I believe with these free courses, parents should take the opportunity to send their children to ILKBS,” she told the press after officiating ILKBS' 20th convocation ceremony today.
Since the introduction of special courses for autistic youth in 2018, 343 graduates have successfully completed their training, with 48 more receiving their certificates today.
Yeoh added that ILKBS not only equips youths with skills but has also produced many successful entrepreneurs, with alumni returning to the institute to hire new trainees and contributing their expertise.
“Every year, we track them, and many alumni have become entrepreneurs. They have taken juniors to work in their companies...they also return to ILKBS to contribute in various ways,” she said.
Earlier in her speech, the minister said the employability rate of ILKBS graduates has now reached 97 per cent, far exceeding the original target and proving that Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is a viable pathway for the future of Malaysian youth.
“In fact, KBS (Youth and Sports Ministry), through ILKBS, is not a small player in the country’s TVET landscape. KBS is among the main drivers of TVET education and is now part of the National TVET Council, ensuring the voice of youth is heard in shaping national skills policies.
“Most importantly, ILKBS is committed to being a champion in providing special training opportunities for autistic and special needs youth through the implementation of the Autism and Special Needs Youth Inclusivity Programme at selected ILKBS centres,” Yeoh said.
Approximately 3,240 ILKBS graduates will receive certificates at various levels — Advanced Diploma, Diploma, Advanced Certificate and Certificate — for the session in Peninsular Malaysia, while 171 will graduate in Sabah on September 27 and in Sarawak on October 4.
