Kuala lumpur: The National Service Training Programme (PLKN) 3.0 has achieved all its key performance indicators (KPIs), with impact studies showing positive improvements across six core elements of human capital development among participants, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari stated that trainees were required to attain at least 80 per cent achievement in six key areas: patriotism, unity, discipline and self-transformation, mental resilience and preparedness, military knowledge, and volunteerism. The KPI assessment was conducted through surveys and impact studies before and after training, in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and the National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM).
Adly highlighted that all objectives and KPIs set for the PLKN 3.0 training series have been achieved, with all indicators showing positive improvement based on findings from the second series this year. Notably, military knowledge recorded the most significant increase, rising from 56 per cent before training to 84 per cent after training, while volunteerism increased from 75 per cent to 83 per cent.
Patriotism levels rose from 82 per cent to 88.98 per cent, while unity scores increased by nine per cent. Discipline and self-transformation improved from 77.36 per cent to 92.6 per cent, and mental resilience rose from 71 per cent to 83 per cent. Although PLKN is not an employment programme, Adly noted that former participants would receive added value after five public sector appointing authorities agreed to award additional merit points to eligible trainees during recruitment and interview processes.
Regarding access for B40 and rural youths, Adly mentioned that PLKN 3.0 was designed to involve young people from all backgrounds, incorporating Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) elements into its training modules. A total of 3,404 trainees had participated in PLKN 3.0 so far, comprising 1,202 last year and 2,202 in the second series this year.
The ministry is targeting 4,200 trainees by year-end through its three existing camps, while preparations are underway for nine additional camps expected to increase capacity to 9,200 trainees next year. Adly also noted that health issues and continuing studies were among the main reasons cited by individuals who failed to report after being selected for training.