1. The Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp), through the Solid Waste Training Centre (SWTC) (Centre Code: PD5959), was accredited on 31 January 2019 to run the Malaysian Skills Certification System (SPKM) via the National Dual Training System (SLDN) by the Department of Skills Development (JPK), Ministry of Human Resources, in skills related to solid waste and public cleansing management.
2. The implementation of SPKM is in line with the aspirations of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), as outlined in the fifth cluster of the National Cleanliness Policy, which focuses on developing quality and skilled human capital. This initiative aims to improve productivity and ensure workers in this service sector can perform cleaning services according to established standards and procedures, thereby encouraging more local citizens to join this service sector.
3. KPKT’s implementation of SPKM for workers in the solid waste and public cleansing management sector (Malaysian citizens only) through SWCorp is in line with the Government’s wish to empower Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Malaysia. This will positively impact job opportunities for local citizens and reduce reliance on foreign workers in this sector.
4. The purpose of implementing SPKM for workers in the solid waste and public cleansing management sector (Malaysian citizens only) is to produce:
a) recognised workers;
b) more competent workers;
c) workers who possess social skills and values;
d) services that meet public expectations; and
e) self-regulated services.
5. In addition, the objectives of implementing SPKM for workers in the solid waste and public cleansing management sector are:
a) to encourage the existing workforce in the industry to gain recognition based on their qualifications and competency;
b) to provide continuous technology advancement training in a formal and structured manner (upskilling and reskilling);
c) to implement structured career development based on worker competency;
d) to improve company productivity through an increase in skilled and trained workers; and
e) to develop and implement standards for solid waste and public cleansing management services.
6. SWTC, which acts as a training centre, will collaborate with three (3) concession companies: Alam Flora Sdn. Bhd. (AFSB), SWM Environment Sdn. Bhd. (SWMESB) and E-Idaman Sdn. Bhd. (EISB), as well as other related companies to provide certification to existing workers (Malaysian citizens only) and new workers in stages.
7. Through the SLDN method, the SWTC as a training centre will conduct theoretical learning, covering 20%-30% of total training time, by trained and accredited instructors by JPK. At the same time, the concession companies will conduct practical learning, supervised by existing supervisors in the field, covering 70%-80% of total training time.
8. To date, seven (7) training programmes related to solid waste and public cleansing management are offered by SWTC. These training modules are based on the National Occupational Skills Standards (NOSS) developed by solid waste industry experts in Malaysia.
9. SWTC commenced operations in June 2019, and to date 253 apprentices from existing concession company workers have registered to undergo training in their respective fields.
10. To date, 110 trainees have successfully completed their training and obtained the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) Level 2. In addition, 143 trainees from the 2021 intake are currently undergoing skill training, which is expected to finish in November 2021.
11. Additionally, the Malaysian Skills Certification is implemented through the Recognition of Prior Achievement (PPT) method. Through this method, workers in supervisory positions from concession companies undergo practical assessments based on their experience in solid waste and public cleansing management. SWTC began intake in 2020, and to date, 79 trainees have obtained the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) Level 2.
12. SWCorp also organised the Malaysian Skills Certification Convocation ceremony, which took place in November 2021. This convocation, the first of its kind, will mark a new milestone in Malaysia’s solid waste management industry, where workers in the solid waste and cleansing industry will be awarded certification for the first time in Malaysia.
13. This initiative will indirectly widen the implementation of SWCorp’s recognised efforts, appointed as the Industry Lead Body (ILB) for the solid waste and public cleansing management sector, in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), thereby positively impacting the image and stature of professions related to solid waste and public cleansing management.