Kuala lumpur: For young people today, the biggest challenge is no longer simply excelling in examinations to earn a certificate, but securing quality employment that matches their skills. Through the Academy in Industry (ADI) programme, participants not only acquire theoretical knowledge but are also exposed to real workplace environments, work culture and the technologies employed by industry.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Skills Development Department (JPK) director-general Dr Kamaruzaman Md Ali said that through the 'train and place' and 'place and train' approaches, participants gain practical work experience while earning nationally recognised skills certification, giving them a competitive advantage when entering the job market and enabling them to build more stable and sustainable careers. He noted that the sectors involved include digital technology, electrical and electronics, transportation, agri-food, agri-commodities, as well as various emerging economic sectors.
"What makes the ADI programme unique is that industry players are not merely employers of graduates but are directly involved in the talent development process. Participants undergo training in actual workplace environments under the guidance of experienced employees within the companies, enabling them to acquire the skills that are genuinely required by industry," he told Bernama recently.
Elaborating further, Kamaruzaman said the ADI programme also plays a significant role in strengthening the country's Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) ecosystem by directly linking training with employment. "Through the work-based learning approach, participants learn in real industrial environments, helping to bridge the gap between what is taught during training and what employers actually require. As a result, TVET graduates become more competent, better prepared for employment and possess greater added value in the labour market," he said, adding that he hopes ADI will become an industry-driven TVET training model.
He said the programme is also implemented based on the National Occupational Skills Standard (NOSS) and provides participants with a pathway to certification under the Malaysian Skills Certification System. On plans to expand the programme, Kamaruzaman said under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), JPK has set a target of 50,000 participants between 2026 and 2030, while aiming to enrol 5,000 participants this year with an allocation of RM15.7 million. During the implementation of the programme under the 12MP, nearly 55,000 participants took part, with about 500 companies participating each year on average.
"More encouragingly, between 2022 and 2024, the average employability rate among ADI participants stood at about 88.7 per cent within six months of completing the programme, with several cohorts recording rates exceeding 90 per cent. In 2025, more than 10,800 participants have joined the programme with the involvement of 345 companies from various industries. This demonstrates that the majority of participants successfully secured employment or advanced their careers after completing the programme," he said, adding that as of June this year, 3,307 participants had undergone training involving 181 companies.
He said the programme's success is measured not only by the number of participants but also by its ability to enhance employability, strengthen career mobility and meet the nation's demand for skilled workers.
ADI participant from Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB), Nor Muhammad Faris Nor Madzalan, 26, said the programme not only enhanced his knowledge but also exposed him to real workplace situations, allowing him to acquire valuable skills for the future. "The ADI programme has transformed the way I think and work. I have become more disciplined, responsible and confident in communicating, and I am now better at solving problems. In terms of knowledge, I learned about daily operations, station management, safety procedures, customer service and how to work professionally as part of a team," said Nor Muhammad Faris, who holds a Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) Level Three in Railway Station Operations Supervision.
His colleague, Muhammad Zulfakar Rujaini @ Rudaini, 24, said obtaining a skills certificate has motivated him to continue working while helping his colleagues enhance their knowledge in the railway sector. "For example, we often see trains operating but do not know how the system works or how trains run on the tracks. By joining the ADI programme, I have gained many new skills and valuable knowledge," he said, adding that he hopes to obtain a Level Four skills certificate.
Meanwhile, instructor Aziz Harun, 53, said Akademi KTM ensures every participant undergoes a balanced learning approach combining theory, practical training and workplace training. He said participants are also exposed to group assignments, operational simulations, and compliance with work procedures and safety requirements. "Through these activities, trainees develop communication skills, discipline, leadership qualities, work ethics and teamwork, all of which are essential in the rail industry. Our curriculum is also reviewed regularly to ensure that the learning content, practical training and assessment continue to meet industry requirements while producing competent and employable graduates," he said.
Aziz, who has 30 years of experience in the rail industry, said ADI graduates enjoy a distinct advantage because they are trained according to actual industry requirements and are directly exposed to real working environments. "In addition to mastering operational and technical competencies, they also understand workplace culture, safety standards, operating procedures and the real challenges encountered in the field, making them better prepared to enter the workforce and adapt more quickly to the rail industry," he said.
Akademi KTM Accredited Centre manager Jamil Nan said 103 participants have joined the programme since November 2024, with their skills assessed in a more structured manner before being recognised through the Malaysian Skills Certification. "In the rail industry, exposure to actual operating conditions is essential because participants do not simply learn theory; they must develop competency in real workplace environments. From the standpoint of job readiness and understanding of their responsibilities, the ADI approach enables participants to build competencies in a more focused and systematic manner, with assessments based on their ability to perform actual job tasks," he said, adding that more than 3,000 KTMB employees have obtained Malaysian Skills Certificates through Akademi KTM since 2013.