KUALA LUMPUR: The National Service (NS) programme which was put on hold last year is expected to hit the ground running again next January with new modules promising to be based on market needs and to prepare youths into the workforce.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the programme called Transformation 2.0 is also to give a second chance to students and drop outs who do not have a chance to study at higher institutions, private or public institutions.
“They will be able to choose a higher institution of their choice to take 4 to 24 month certificates courses,” he said during the question time at the Senate.
It will focus on soft skills and give students “a second netting security” for those who do not know what to do after their studies. It is to kickstart the future of these youths” he said.
He was asked by Senator Zali Mat Yasin if the NS programme is really beneficial to the younger generation and if there were plans to continue the programme.
Hishammuddin said the new module will be divided into two phases. The first phase will focus on soft skills modules such as Confidence, Volunteerism, Unity in Diversity, Patriotism, Be Safe and Alert, Act and Talk and Fit for Life programmes while the second phase is to study on their chosen certificates.
“Students will also be exposed to elements of the world threat faced today like militancy, division of race and religion through social media that can be exploited. Many countries are battling with unity, volunteerism and patriotism.
The programme will be one of the channels to expose students to these threats,” he said. He said there could be three to four intakes a year but wait for Cabinet’s decision and approval on July 8. The minister hopes parents will sent their children voluntary by 2019.
“No compulsion. We are hoping to get the support from the public. That is what we are aiming at.
It is major change and transformation from the 1.0 module’,” he added.
The first NS programme was started ten years ago and Hishammuddin said the new module is a transformation, a collection of feedback from a Lab Series held with different government agencies including from the Sports Ministry, Pemandu, Human Resource, Ministry of International Trade and Industries, Rural and Regional Development, coaches, parents, various Non-Governmental Organisations, industry experts and others.
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