Three SKM apprentices comparing their graduation certificates after their convocation ceremony.
JPK director for Sabah and Labuan, Mohd Azmi Pelah presenting a certificate to one of the SKM graduartes.
KOTA KINABALU: After finally completing their respective training as a hairstylist, a masseuse and aesthetic therapist, Jude Maxwell Mungkit, 21, hopes to start a family saloon business together with his brother, Eddie Preawell Mungkit and sister, Freacie Gee Mungkit, soon.
The siblings were among 34 apprentices presented with the Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia (SKM) certificates after completing their training with the Stella Beauty Salon and Spa.
Jude, who graduated with the SKM Level 2 in hairstyling, told reporters prior to the convocation ceremony held at the Sutera Habour Resort near here yesterday, that his training took 10 months to complete and he was grateful to have been coerced to enrol in the programme by his mother.
“I wasn’t interested in it at first and there were moments of anger because I felt I was forced into doing something I did not want to….but now, I am grateful for it because I could see the possibilities that lie beyond for me in this trade,” he said.
His next challenge is to raise enough funds to start up his own business, he said.
“I am in the midst of saving up for my business capital. I hope to open an outlet in Telupid or in Ranau,” he said.
He added that his elder brother, Eddie, 23, and sister, Freacie, 24, had planned to start their business together.
“My sister already has her own beauty saloon in Kota Marudu,”he said.
Jude also told reporters that he foresees a brighter future for his family now that they have completed their training.
“My mom raised us alone. My father died in an accident years ago. I have five siblings and I am the third in the family. Life was a challenge before…whatever was earned today was quickly spent the same day,” he said.
He added that the family’s economic status improved when his mother started her own saloon after completing her training with the SKM.
Meanwhile, Stella Beauty Salon and Spa manager Stella Matuya said that the 34 apprentices were trained in hairstyling, beauty therapy, massage therapy and spa therapy respectively.
She said they were presented with the SKM certification after having successfully completed their National Dual Training System apprenticeship under the sponsorship of the Skill Development Department (JPK) in 2013.
She added that most of the apprentices who underwent coaching under Stella Beauty Salon and Spa have now started their own businesses based on what they were trained in.
“Some have also obtained employment,” she said.
JPK director for Sabah and Labuan, Mohd Azmi Pelah, said that there was a need to change the people’s perception on skills training. He said skills training used to be viewed as second class education.
“However, armed with skills, the trainees are now able to start their own business or work for others,” he said.
However, he said that they only had a quota for 625 trainees this year, as compared to 985 trainees last year.
He added that a total of 178 training centres were registered with JPK, with 85 operating actively.