Kuala lumpur: Rapid growth in aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, combined with increased investment in the business aviation sector, is expected to significantly drive demand for skilled workers, with Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) veterans identified as well-suited to fulfill industry requirements. Transport Minister Anthony Loke highlighted Malaysia's growing appeal for investment in this sector, particularly in Subang, which is developing as a regional hub for MRO and business aviation.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Minister Loke emphasized the necessity for more technicians as the number of aircraft increases, alongside the substantial foreign investment in private jets and business aviation in Subang. He shared these insights while attending an event marking the strategic collaboration between the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) aimed at empowering Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) among MAF personnel.
Minister Loke noted that Malaysia's competitive operating costs and existing infrastructure position it as an MRO hub for not only the domestic market but also ASEAN and the broader region. The influx of new investments is expected to heighten the demand for highly skilled workers, with MAF retirees possessing the technical experience and competencies that can be readily utilized by the industry.
He pointed out that military retirees are well-prepared to meet this demand due to their existing skill sets, requiring only minimal additional training before integration into the industry. The MOT-MINDEF TVET initiative also aims to leverage the skills of retired servicemen across various transport subsectors, including air, sea, and land.
Minister Loke stated that there is strong synergy between the MOT and MINDEF because the skill sets required in the transport sector are already present among military retirees. He also mentioned that MAF retirees with experience operating trucks and heavy vehicles will be assisted in obtaining a Class E driving licence at no additional cost through a streamlined conversion process from military licences.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin noted that approximately 5,000 MAF personnel retire each year, with over 4,000 of them being around 39 years old and still in their productive working years. Transition programmes managed by the Armed Forces Veterans Affairs Corporation (PERHEBAT) are being restructured to better meet industry needs, thereby improving employment opportunities for future retirees.
He added that personnel undergoing pre-retirement transition periods continue to receive government salaries as part of their service. The transition period lasts one year, including six months of industrial training, before personnel are absorbed into companies requiring skilled labour. Once employed, companies will pay their salaries, and they will continue receiving the pensions they are entitled to.